California law has recently been changed to expand the timeframe in which a sexual abuse victim has to bring a lawsuit. As a result, organizations are feeling increased legal pressure as they are now able to be held liable for abuse that occurred years in the past. This has financially crippled organizations such as the Boy Scouts and the Catholic Church.
Now, USA Swimming is facing multiple lawsuits from swimmers who allege that they were abused as minors by their coaches. One swimmer recently settled a lawsuit in which she alleged that her coach groomed her before entering into a sexual relationship with her. There are at least ten other lawsuits pending against USA Swimming.
Not only can defendants be found responsible for sex abuse committed by their representatives, but they now also face increased penalties if they are found to have taken steps to cover up the abuse. This stands yo increase the settlement or jury award that a plaintiff can receive in a sex abuse lawsuit. If there was a cover-up, the victim can receive treble damages from the defendant. This provision of the law stands to threaten the viability of many different organizations that have worked with minors.
Even those who suffered a sexual assault many years ago can now file a lawsuit against not only their assailant but also against the organization with which they were associated when they committed the assault. Time is of the essence because many of these organizations are filing for bankruptcy, and the automatic stay in a bankruptcy proceeding would impact the ability to file a lawsuit and collect the judgment. Talk to a sexual abuse lawsuit attorney today in order to find out how to file a lawsuit against the person who has caused a lifetime of harm by their actions.
