California School for the Deaf Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Current and Former Students Sexually Abused at CSD

If you or a loved one were abused at a facility that was supposed to provide a supportive learning environment, California School for the Deaf sexual abuse lawsuits can give you an opportunity to hold the abuser accountable and pursue fair compensation for legal damages. 

Injury Lawyer Team is an experienced law firm that can help survivors file legal claims against schools with abusive staff members. Our attorneys have recovered millions for past victims and maintain a 98% success rate. 

Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Lawsuits Against California School for the Deaf

Over the years, alleged abuse has been an issue at both the Riverside and Fremont locations for the California School for the Deaf (CSD). These incidents have unveiled a pattern of inappropriate behavior, a lack of focus on student safety, and massive questions about CSD staff hiring practices. 

Let’s look at two of the most serious cases of sexual abuse at this state-run boarding school.

$14 Million Awarded After Dorm Staffer Threatened to Bite Deaf Student’s Fingers Off If They Revealed Sexual Abuse

In 2018, a former student (John Doe) filed a California boarding school sexual abuse lawsuit. The plaintiff claimed that while they were enrolled between 2009 and 2011, a dorm attendant named Ricardo Rose repeatedly abused them sexually. 

After being arrested by the California Highway Patrol, police investigated and found Rose also had a history of complaints from past students and staff for inappropriate behavior. He was implicated in repeated complaints of sexual harassment and threatening CSD employees. 

Despite repeated red flags, the school continued to employ him as part of the residential staff. Rose apparently threatened to bite the deaf student’s finger off if they reported the misconduct to anyone. It wasn’t until John Doe turned 18 years old that they came forward. In 2022, former employee Rose pleaded no contest to one felony charge of burglary and one charge of child molestation. 

After the victim reported the behavior, a settlement of $14 million was reached between them and the state, and the school was forced to implement additional protective measures, such as:

• Increasing residential staffing
• Providing additional training for CSD employees
• Expanded monitoring capabilities

Lawsuit Alleged the Rape of a Young Student at the California School for the Deaf Riverside Location

In another case, a 13-year-old boy was allegedly raped by an older student as part of a “sex club” at the Riverside campus of CSD. In 2015, ABC7-Los Angeles broadcast a report about this lawsuit, which indicated that the staff had failed to protect the victim from sexual assault. 

During the broadcast, an interview with the boy’s parents and attorney was shown, highlighting complaints about a culture of hurting students at the school and its failure to protect students. According to the report, the student was assaulted in October 2014. 

How Long After the Abuse Can Victims Take Legal Action in California?

Current and future students of schools in California do not have to contend with any limitations on when they can file lawsuits against school officials, the state, or the institution for sexual abuse. Under state law § 340.1, individuals who were sexually abused as children would have 20 years after the abuse or 20 years after discovering the abuse to pursue legal action. 

However, this statute of limitations was abolished in 2014, so all instances of child sex abuse after that year have no deadline. 

Injury Lawyer Team will help you understand the specifics of your California sexual abuse lawsuit regarding the statute of limitations. 

What Damages Can Survivors Recover in Civil Claims?

The California Department of Education claims that student safety remains a top priority for most schools in the state, including CSD. However, institutional oversights and individual failures can allow abuse to occur, and even one victim of abuse is too many. 

Just as the victim of the dorm staffer was able to recover compensation for their suffering, you can file a boarding school sexual abuse lawsuit to seek compensation for legal damages.

Economic Damages

• Lost income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Medical expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

• For cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Injury Lawyer Team knows what it takes to help a former student pursue compensation for sexual abuse at a California school. 

Our legal services include:

• Investigating the abuse
• Assessing damages
• Gathering evidence
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Litigating in civil court

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win. If you want to learn more about how we can help you file a sexual abuse lawsuit, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation with our expert attorneys. 

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.