Torrance School District Sexual Abuse
School districts have a legal responsibility to protect the students at their schools. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent, identify and report student sexual abuse. Unfortunately, school district administrators do not always fulfill their ethical and legal obligations. If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse in the Torrance Unified School District in California, our attorneys can help. Please contact Manly, Stewart & Finaldi as soon as possible for a free consultation about your legal options. You may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit.
Why Choose Us
We are nationally recognized for our work in sexual abuse and assault civil law, as well as the groundbreaking settlements and verdicts we have obtained for our clients.
Our attorneys are not afraid of going up against any institution, including large and powerful school districts, in the pursuit of justice.
We understand how difficult it can be to come forward with a sexual abuse lawsuit. This is why we keep our clients’ information and identities private as requested.
What Is School Sexual Abuse?
The crime of school sexual abuse in California can describe virtually any sexual encounter with a minor at a school or school-related function, such as a field trip or after-school program. Sexual encounters can include fondling, groping, sexual touching, molestation, sodomy, rape and attempted rape. It can also refer to sexual harassment, bullying and virtual sex crimes against students.
When Is a School District Liable for Sexual Abuse?
School sexual abuse should be prevented by those in charge of student welfare and safety, including administrators of the school district. For example, the Torrance School District has a responsibility to create protocols for preventing and detecting sexual abuse, thoroughly vet its teachers and employees before hiring them, investigate any claims or allegations of sexual abuse or assault, and react promptly and appropriately to sexual abuse complaints.
The failure to fulfill these responsibilities can lead to student sexual assault and abuse within the district. If there is proof that the school district’s violation of its duty of care to students contributed to sexual abuse, the school district can be held liable (financially responsible) for the student’s damages, including emotional distress, mental anguish, psychological trauma, medical bills and legal fees.
For instance, in 2018, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi helped secure a $31 million settlement against the Torrance Unified School District for 22 victims of the former Torrance High School wrestling coach, Thomas Snider, who was convicted of molesting 25 wrestlers over a two-year period. This lawsuit alleged that the school district shared liability for doing nothing to stop Snider or protect its students, despite multiple complaints about the wrestling coach over many years.
Do You Have a Case Against the Torrance Unified School District?
If you attended a school within the Torrance Unified School District and experienced any form of sexual harassment, abuse or assault by an employee or someone else at the school, you may have the right to bring a lawsuit against the school district, the perpetrator and/or other defendants in pursuit of justice and fair financial compensation.
Although we realize that it is difficult to report sexual abuse, we encourage all survivors to come forward to seek justice against those who are responsible. Telling your story – even if you choose to keep your identity anonymous – can give hope to others who have also been victimized, as well as lead to significant changes on an institutional level that protect future students in the school district.
Request a Confidential Case Evaluation Today
Manly, Stewart & Finaldi can help you with every phase of a sexual abuse or assault lawsuit against the Torrance Unified School District. Our experienced lawyers have the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate the incident, collect evidence, and build the strongest possible claim against one or more defendants on your behalf.
We are one of the nation’s leading law firms in sexual abuse and assault lawsuits against schools and school districts. Discuss your situation in detail with one of our attorneys at no cost today. Request your confidential case review online or by calling our West Coast office at (855) 944-0710.