Fenton Community High School District 100 Sexual Assault

Compensation for Survivors of Sex Abuse at Fenton High School

If you have been the victim of sexual misconduct in this district, you may be able to pursue compensation with a Fenton Community High School District 100 sexual assault lawsuit.

At Injury Lawyer Team, our attorneys have vast experience supporting survivors of teacher misconduct. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and can provide legal guidance throughout the claims process to increase your chances of holding the at-fault parties accountable. 

Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct Against the Fenton Community High School Board

Fenton High School was involved in a prominent case where former students came forward about the abuse they suffered from a former teacher and coach. In 2024, the teacher was placed on administrative leave before being fired, and the school district revealed that there had been allegations of abuse against him since 2011. 

Initially, a fellow teacher had reported to the school administration that the abuser was exchanging texts with students. The administration investigation included interviews with students and family, and the teacher received a disciplinary letter.

However, the inappropriate text messages did not stop there. Multiple complaints arose over the next decade about continued communication with the previously reported former students. Again, the school administration interviewed students and issued disciplinary letters to the staff member, requiring him to attend personal conduct training. 

Anonymous tips were also received by the administration through the school website on numerous occasions, claiming that inappropriate conduct occurred on school grounds. When these tips came in, the investigation was typically left to the school resource officer and the Department of Child & Family Services. All parties involved denied evidence of wrongdoing on multiple occasions. 

One woman, identified as “survivor A,” filed a lawsuit against Fenton High School for failing to respond adequately to the allegations of inappropriate text messages and other sexual misconduct. 

Survivor A claimed that she was repeatedly sexually harassed and abused between 2015 and 2016 by the teacher, who also served as a track coach. The suit alleged that other staff members knew what was happening when the abuser took her into a private office with the blinds closed to abuse her. 

The lawsuit also names the principal of Fenton High School for failing to take appropriate action against the teacher when inappropriate conduct occurred. Again, he was only placed on administrative leave after over a decade of complaints by former students. 

Illinois school sexual abuse allegations are very serious, and Injury Lawyer Team can help you build a strong case against the negligent parties who allowed your abuse. We can help you hold those who were supposed to provide protection and education accountable for their failures. 

What Damages Can Sexually Assaulted Victims Recover?

When victims pursue school sexual misconduct lawsuits, they may face a steep uphill battle to obtain fair compensation. Our experienced attorneys will gather evidence of the legal damages you suffered to maximize your settlement.

Here are some common legal damages cited in sex abuse cases:

Economic Damages

• Lost wages – If the victim is forced to miss work due to their injuries, they can recover lost income
• Diminished earning capacity – The physical and emotional effects of assault may cause the victim to struggle to find and maintain employment
• Medical expenses – Medical bills associated with the victim’s treatment can be covered, including surgery, emergency care, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress – The psychological harm suffered by an abuse victim will be taken into account for the settlement, which may reflect their struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, or self-harm
• Pain and suffering – A particularly violent sexual assault may leave the victim with physical pain from their injuries
• Loss of enjoyment of life – An inability to enjoy life to the fullest may affect the victim’s happiness for many years due to their experiences

Punitive Damages

• A judge or jury may award punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

State laws will play an important role in Illinois sexual abuse lawsuits. Here are some relevant statutes that may affect the outcome of your claim:

• 720 ILCS 5/3-6(j) – This law addresses the statute of limitations for criminal sexual offenses against minors. As of the passing of this statute, there is no deadline for pressing charges against the perpetrator for criminal sexual assault against a child. If the victim was under the age of 18 at the time, they can press criminal charges at any time. 
• 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2 – For children who have been sexually abused after 2014, there is no longer a civil statute of limitations for pursuing compensation, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. If the abuse occurred before this date, adults have 20 years after their 18th birthdays to pursue legal action. 
• Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/) – This legislation typically shortens the civil statute of limitations against government entities and their employees, but sexual abuse of a child is an exception to this immunity. This means survivors can sue public school districts directly for failing to protect them. 

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Pursuing sexual misconduct lawsuits is no easy task. You may be contending with institutional cover-ups, a lack of evidence, untrusting administrators, and an ongoing criminal investigation that further muddies the waters. 

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know what it takes to fight for justice on behalf of survivors. Whether you were abused by someone who could access school grounds illegally or by a trusted teacher, our attorneys will turn over every rock to find evidence. 

Our legal services include:

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

We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you owe nothing unless we win, and payment is then deducted right from the settlement. You can also take advantage of a free consultation with our top lawyers to ask questions about the legal process before committing to legal action.

Contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule your free case evaluation.