Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
September 4, 2024
Two women who were sexually assaulted by their ninth-grade social studies teacher at a Los Angeles-area public middle school in 1974 have each obtained seven-figure monetary settlements thanks to litigation filed by trial lawyers at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel.
According to the two lawsuits, the school district and school personnel ignored signs during the 1974-75 school year that the teacher was grooming the two girls. An investigation by the Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel law firm revealed that the teacher was openly affectionate with them and would make arrangements for the girls to be alone with him in his locked classroom during lunch and after hours. In addition, he would give them gifts, call them by pet names, and inappropriately touch them in public, according to the lawsuit.
“These two women bravely came forward to shine a light on the school district’s pervasive failure to protect children in their care,” said Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel attorney Susan Ulrich. “We’re proud to have been able to help them obtain a measure of justice and help ensure that California schools take their responsibility to protect students more seriously going forward.”
Changes in California law provide new protections to victims of sexual abuse in schools, churches and other institutions.
In January 2023, California expanded its statute of limitations for sexual assault claims, allowing survivors to file legal claims for damages from sexual abuse that happened decades ago. The extension of time to file claims came in response to increasing awareness that school districts, churches, youth organizations like the Boy Scouts and other institutions have for generations failed to protect individuals in their care from sexual abuse. The change in the law has led to thousands of new claims by adults who had been victimized when they were minors.
Schools can be negligent and legally liable if they fail to properly screen and supervise staff or fail to promptly respond to complaints and warning signs of abuse. To protect students, schools are obligated to:
If you or anyone you know has any information concerning sex abuse at Los Angeles area public schools, please contact attorney Susan Ulrich at 424-217-2421 or sulrich@waterskraus.com.
Our Results
Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
A Philadelphia jury awarded a record verdict against ExxonMobil for failing to warn about cancer risks due to benzene in its petroleum products.
Confidential settlement for the wife of a Rhode Island man who died of mesothelioma cancer after exposure to window glazing compound contaminated with asbestos.