Merced County Iris Garrett Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Compensation for Victims Sexually Abused at Iris Garrett Juvenile Hall
Merced County Iris Garrett Juvenile Hall sexual abuse occurred on a broad scale, with staff members exploiting minors despite safeguards meant to protect them. If you or a loved one were harmed at this facility, a California juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawyer can help you get justice through a civil lawsuit. Contact us today to learn whether you are entitled to compensation.
Sexual Abuse at Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex
Marilouise Hawks, 64, was a teacher at the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex when she molested two young inmates, ages 16 and 17 at the time of the incident. According to the allegations, she did not have sexual intercourse with the victims but developed an inappropriate relationship with them.
Hawks would smuggle money, cell phones, and other contraband to the juvenile hall residents, with court records also alleging that she posted gang-related images to social media accounts on behalf of the children. Hawks was placed on administrative leave by her employer, the Merced County Office of Education, in November 2014 and was arrested in January 2015.
This teacher had a long history with the educational system, having been hired in 1999, but it is not known if any other sexual abuse occurred with other youth she had taught during this time.
How Long Do Victims Have to File a Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in California?
California has abolished the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse (§ 340.1). However, survivors over the age of 40 must submit certificates of merit from an attorney and a mental health professional confirming that the case has merit (AB 452).
These certificates of merit should explain why the survivor waited to file. For example, if a survivor is alleging that sexual abuse happened when they were in their teens, and then they were incarcerated and did not have access to mental health treatment, they may not have realized that what happened to them was sexual abuse and that they suffered negative effects.
A similar argument was successfully used in the California Supreme Court case Quarry v. Doe I, when six adult victims came forward to seek damages for adult-onset psychological injuries as a result of sexual abuse. The court determined that delayed discovery applied and the claims could go forward.
Victims who were sexually abused in a county-run juvenile hall can sue the county and the facility’s staff members (§ 905(m). They do not need to worry about the strict six-month deadline outlined in the Government Claims Act.
However, current legislation may cause challenges for survivors, such as Senate Bill 577. This aims to make it more difficult to sue municipal agencies for institutional abuse due to fiscal restraints imposed by paying serious damages. The bill would create a higher burden of proof, limit damages, and require costly pre-trial analysis.
Our attorneys are carefully monitoring these legislative developments to ensure that every plaintiff receives fair compensation.
What Damages Can Victims Recover in Lawsuits Filed Against Juvenile Facilities?
Unlike a criminal case, a civil lawsuit is focused on providing compensation for youth survivors, ensuring that they can heal from the devastating effects of sexual abuse. Damages awarded in these lawsuits can include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of future income
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses like behavioral health services
- Property damage, if applicable
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
Our youth detention center sexual abuse attorneys will carefully evaluate your case to determine what damages apply and push for maximum compensation from the perpetrators and the Merced County justice system.
What Factors Affect Sexual Abuse Claim Values?
Average settlements do not reflect what a person may actually receive in a settlement, making it essential to understand the factors that influence compensation. These include the following.
Type of Sexual Abuse: Sexual contact, molestation, sexual harassment, or child exploitation all have varying levels of harm and are treated differently by the courts.
Frequency and Duration of Abuse: If the abuse occurred over a period of weeks or months, it will be valued higher than a one-time occurrence.
Severity of Sexual Abuse: Abuse that involves violence or restraint will typically receive higher settlements.
Liability: If other individuals knew that sexual abuse occurred but didn’t stop it, they may be vicariously liable, and victims can sue them for additional compensation.
Negligence: To prove negligence, we must demonstrate that the liable party had a responsibility to protect you, failed to do so, and that this breach of duty was the primary or contributing factor to the abuse. We must also demonstrate that you suffered financial or emotional losses. Proving this requires evidence such as witness statements.
Available Evidence: Survivors alleging sexual abuse must show evidence of the assault, such as medical records, eyewitness testimony, or complaints to other staff. Cases with strong contemporaneous evidence typically receive more compensation.
Age of the Victims: Young survivors, such as preteens, often have poorer lifetime outcomes, such as a risk of revictimization, and so they may receive more.
Legal Representation: Having a skilled attorney is essential to gaining the highest possible settlement. We will aggressively negotiate with all liable parties
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lawsuit Against a Juvenile Detention Facility?
Survivors may be able to sue any person, employer, or organization that allowed the abuse to occur. This can include:
- The individual perpetrator
- Other staff who knew a youth was being sexually abused but did not intervene
- Supervisors who knew that the abuse occurred but did not investigate
- Iris Garrett Juvenile Hall
- Merced County justice system
- Third-party contractors
How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help
Youth offenders in correctional facilities often face significant challenges in gaining justice. People may not believe that they were sexually abused, dismiss their stories, or claim they asked for it, which is called victim-blaming. A sexual abuse lawyer from our firm will shield you from this reputational damage and consult with third parties on your behalf so that you can focus on healing.
The transient nature of these detention centers also means that staff changes frequently, records may be lost, or people may misremember key details about the sexual abuse. A thorough investigation is crucial to achieving a positive outcome.
Thankfully, our attorneys are highly adept at uncovering the facts and ensuring that survivors receive justice. We will thoroughly review inspection reports, employment records, witness testimony, and other evidence to demonstrate how the sexual abuse happened, who is liable, and what damages the victim suffered.
We have an impeccable track record, having successfully litigated over 5,000 cases over the past 25 years. As members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we are renowned for our high settlements, which are often well above the national average.
For example, we secured $1,160,000 for a teen who was sexually abused by a guard at a youth detention center. She suffered from severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after the assault, alleging that she was unable to trust older men and no longer felt in control of her life. By advocating for her, we secured the funds she needed for therapy and other mental health services, as well as provided financial support to take vocational classes and move forward with her life.
Our Super Lawyers® rated firm is proud to represent survivors on a contingency fee basis. This means that if we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. This ensures that everyone, no matter their financial means, can access world-class legal representation.
Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights and take the first step toward justice.
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.