Heritage Oaks Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse at Heritage Oaks Hospital

Psychiatric hospitals are supposed to provide care and protection for their patients. Some of these facilities, including Heritage Oaks Hospital in California, fail to uphold these standards for their services, allowing sex abuse to occur. Victims of Heritage Oaks sexual abuse can pursue a mental health hospital sexual assault lawsuit to seek compensation for legal damages. 

Injury Lawyer Team can provide the legal support you need to file a successful claim. Our firm has worked with many survivors of sex abuse, including those in mental health clinic settings. We know what it takes to assess all damages and hold the abuser accountable for your suffering. 

Sexual Abuse at Heritage Oaks Hospital 

Heritage Oaks Hospital has been plagued by allegations of misconduct in recent years. Let’s examine some of the recent cases involving patients at this California facility.

In 2014, a psychiatrist named Dr. Lenton Morrow was accused by the medical board of the facility of having sex with his patients while they were being treated for suicidal tendencies and substance abuse. Morrow reportedly mistreated two underage women, and the medical board accused him of repeatedly neglecting their care while allegedly abusing them. 

In 2008, an article was published about the arrest of an employee at Heritage Oaks Hospital for allegedly raping a resident. According to the article, Sunday Adelani Adeife was charged with felony counts of sexual battery and rape against a disabled person at the hospital who was unable to give consent. 

The 17-year-old patient had only been at the clinic for two nights when Adeife was seen on surveillance footage entering her room and allegedly staying longer than in any other patient’s room. He worked the night shift at the hospital when staffing was limited. 

What Damages Can Survivors of Sexual Abuse Recover?

If you are sexually abused or assaulted in a mental health hospital, the consequences can be felt physically, emotionally, and financially. In California, you have the right to hold your abuser and other negligent parties accountable for the failure to protect you from abusive behaviors. 

One of the purposes of a civil claim is to recover compensation for legal damages suffered. Let’s explore the various categories of damages that may impact your settlement.

Economic Damages

Economic losses are often related to specific monetary amounts. These damages are easier to assess, but you will still need proof that the abuse was a direct cause of your losses.

Lost income – If you are unable to work due to the injuries suffered during the assault, you can seek compensation for lost wages.

Diminished earning capacity – Assault and abuse can have a long-term impact on your health, which may affect your ability to find and maintain employment in the future.

Medical expenses – Costs associated with treatment after your abuse can be covered, such as emergency care, surgery, medication, and therapy.

Non-Economic Damages

A type of loss that is more flexible is non-economic damages. These damages are more related to the long-term impact of the abuse, especially on your emotional and physical well-being. 

Emotional distress – Survivors who were abused or assaulted often face significant mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Pain and suffering – Although many forms of sex abuse have emotional consequences rather than physical effects, violent assault can lead to physical pain and suffering from injuries.

Loss of enjoyment of life – One of the most devastating consequences of sex abuse, especially for child survivors, is the long-term effects on the psyche, preventing them from obtaining full enjoyment from normal life activities.

Punitive Damages

Some civil lawsuits involve gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups. In such cases, a judge may award the plaintiff additional compensation in the form of punitive damages. This element also provides further punishment to the defendants. 

For example, if a California entity played a role in covering up your abuse to protect the business or specific employees, this would likely constitute intentional misconduct and lead to punitive damages. 

Wrongful Death Damages

Violent sexual misconduct could cause life-threatening injuries to the victim. If a child or adult dies because of their injuries sustained from abuse, surviving family members, such as spouses and dependent children, may file a claim for wrongful death damages. 

These losses can include:

• Loss of financial support
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship or consortium

What Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Cases Against Psychiatric Hospitals in California?

One of the most overwhelming aspects of a claim is navigating state and federal laws. These statutes often have confusing language, but they will significantly impact your case, especially regarding liability. 

Here are some relevant laws that may affect the outcome of your claim:

Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) – This act outlines protections for elders and dependent adults in the state of California. For example, anyone working in a role involving care for these individuals is a mandated reporter for sex abuse or assault. Additionally, a written report of the abuse must be submitted in accordance with the statutes of this act if such activity is witnessed or suspected. 

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) – CRIPA protects people in institutional settings, such as prisons and mental health care centers. For example, anyone who reports misconduct under this act is protected from retaliatory acts. Retaliation is a common issue when patients come forward about abuse by a company or individual employees. 

How Long Do California Survivors Have to File Civil Lawsuits?

If you hope to file a sexual assault lawsuit in California, you must understand the statute of limitations that applies to your claim. Child sex abuse does not have the same standards as adult abuse. Let’s look at the primary differences in these categories. 

For Adults

Filing an assault claim would fall under the jurisdiction of California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16. This regulation states that survivors who were 18 years or older at the time of the assault have 10 years from the date of the last act or 3 years from the date the survivor reasonably discovers their injuries were caused by the assault (whichever date is later) to pursue compensation in a civil suit. 

For Minors

State law AB 452 abolished the civil statute of limitations entirely for childhood sexual assault claims. However, if you are at least 40 years old, you must include certificates of merit with your claim. Your attorney and a licensed mental healthcare provider must sign these documents. 

The purpose of these certificates is to confirm the meritorious basis for your lawsuit for allegedly suffering from child sex abuse. 

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Whether you are abused within the walls of Heritage Oaks Hospital or at another mental health clinic, employees at the facility failed in their duties to protect you. Injury Lawyer Team will help you establish the connection between the abuser’s behavior and your suffering. 

Our legal services include:

• Investigating the facility in question
• Assessing legal damages
• Gathering evidence to establish liability
• Negotiating with insurers
• Litigating in civil court

Our expert attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. 

If you want to know more about your eligibility for a sexual assault lawsuit, contact us 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.