California Boarding School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Boarding School Abuse in California

Sexual misconduct at California boarding schools is a concerning issue. More students continue to come forward about certain institutions and employees who engaged in inappropriate relationships and sexual abuse. Victims of these incidents can pursue justice and financial compensation via California boarding school sexual abuse lawsuits. 

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know what it takes to hold school administrators, individual abusers, and state institutions accountable for failing to protect minors from sexual assault or abuse. Whether your abuse was perpetrated by a former student, a faculty member, or a security worker, we will investigate your claim to maximize your chances of earning fair compensation. 

Allegations of Sexual Abuse at California Boarding Schools

There have been numerous past sexual assault allegations at California boarding schools. These issues pose a concerning trend of poor oversight, inadequate hiring practices, failed security protocols, and institutional cover-ups. 

Let’s look at some of the examples of sexual misconduct at these private schools. 

Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Thacher School in Ojai

The Thacher School is one of California’s most prestigious private institutions. The school released a public report about decades of sexual misconduct, rape, and “boundary crossing” that had occurred over the years, with some leading to a criminal investigation. In one case, an English teacher befriended, kissed, and groped a female student who had been feeling lonely. 

Many of the allegations of sexual abuse were covered up or silenced by faculty. For example, Willard Wyman, the head of the school from 1975 to 1992, once told a survivor’s parents to avoid reporting the abuse, as it would further isolate the student from her peers. 

Los Angeles Times Investigation Into Cate School in Carpinteria

In 2021, the Cate School in Carpinteria was being investigated for sexual abuse by a former employee, per the Los Angeles Times. Additional survivors came forward at the time, including some former students and others who were still enrolled. 

Allegedly, the abuser had been working at the school for six months. During that time, the employee sexually abused multiple students. When the behavior was discovered, it was the school’s decision to terminate the employee. 

Charges Filed Against Employee at California School for the Deaf

The Fremont location of the California School for the Deaf has had issues with sexual assault cases. The state agreed to pay $14 million in damages to a former student who had suffered years of sexual mistreatment from a dorm attendant. 

Ricardo Rose allegedly abused the student for three years until the student left the school in 2011, eventually coming forward as an adult in 2018. Rose even threatened to bite the student’s fingers off if he reported the behavior. 

In another case, the Riverside branch of the California School for the Deaf was implicated in childhood sexual abuse. In 2015, a report was published about a lawsuit against the school for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old student by an older student. 

The sexual assault occurred in October 2014. The parents of the victim filed their lawsuit against the California School for the Deaf and the state for failing to protect students from sexual misconduct. 

How Long After the Sex Abuse Occurred Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action?

The time you have to pursue legal action after being sexually assaulted or abused is called the statute of limitations. A statute of limitations sets a deadline for how long you have to pursue a civil claim or press criminal charges. These limits vary from state to state, though more governments are expanding the timelines for sexual abuse allegations due to the unique nature of these acts.

Under California law § 340.1, the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse has been eliminated. That means if you are abused or assaulted as a minor after January 1st, 2024, there is no deadline to file a sexual abuse lawsuit in California. 

However, if you file at the age of 40 or older, you must include certificates of merit with your lawsuit. These documents must be signed by a mental health expert and an attorney, verifying the authenticity of your claim. 

Additionally, Gov. Code § 905(m) allows survivors abused in county-run entities to sue the county and its employees directly. This could include a county-based school for boarding and day students. In most civil cases against government entities, legal action must be pursued within six months, but an exception is made for unwanted touching and other sexual acts. 

What Damages Can Be Recovered Through a Civil Lawsuit?

The purpose of a lawsuit is to hold the abuser accountable and seek compensation for legal damages. During an independent investigation, Injury Lawyer Team will assess your losses to maximize a potential settlement. Let’s examine some of the most common legal damages you can recover in sexual abuse and assault cases against boarding schools.

Economic Damages

These losses are relatively simple to calculate, but assessing them properly is best left to an experienced law firm. 

We can help you earn compensation for the following losses:

• Lost income – If your injuries prevent you from working at full capacity, the settlement can address your losses
• Diminished earning capacity – The emotional and physical impact of the assault could make it difficult to maintain employment
• Medical expenses – Physical and emotional damage from the abuse may require treatment costs, such as surgery, emergency care, rape kits, medication, and therapy

Non-Economic Damages

This category of losses can significantly increase the settlement amount. These damages are related to the long-term impact of the abuse. 

Here are some types of non-economic losses in sexual abuse claims:

• Emotional distress – Psychological harm from the incident can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide ideation, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges
• Pain and suffering – If your assault resulted in physical injuries, you can be compensated for the physical pain you have suffered and may continue to suffer
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Many victims struggle to live a full life and enjoy activities the way they used to before the assault

Punitive Damages

In some cases, a judge or jury may award a type of compensation called punitive damages. This additional reward is only considered in claims involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups. 

For example, lawsuits against the Thacher School could include punitive damages because the elite boarding school failed to act on allegations of abuse. 

How Our California Boarding School Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Abuse claims involving elite private schools can be exceedingly difficult. These institutions may have access to vast resources, such as large insurance companies and legal teams that will work hard to negate allegations of sexual misconduct. Additionally, you must navigate numerous state and federal laws, specialized evidence gathering, potential litigation, and defensive school administrators. 

Without an experienced law firm on your side, navigating these challenges may feel overwhelming. Injury Lawyer Team will give you the best chance of securing fair compensation. 

Our legal services include:

• Investigating the incident
• Coordinating with law enforcement involvement
• Gathering statements from witnesses
• Securing expert testimony
• Assessing damages
• Negotiating with insurers
• Litigating in civil court

We can help you take legal action against facilities such as:

• Feather River Prep School 
• Army and Navy Academy 
• Stevenson School 
• CEDU

Consult Our Law Firm

At Injury Lawyer Team, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. Our firm can provide a safe space for you to share your experience, allowing you to decide on the best legal course of action. 

We have experience holding teachers, students, administrators, and state institutions accountable in sexual abuse lawsuits. Contact our law firm today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.