7 Former Students Sue Chicago Area High School for Sex Abuse by Multiple Teachers A Chicago law firm has filed two federal lawsuits that accuse former teachers of sexual assault. They also claim that the school and district failed to take proper action even though they were aware of the situation. The suits were filed against Lake Forest High School and Lake Forest Community High School District 115 by seven former students. The lawsuit accuses one teacher of targeting boys who were had difficult home lives in an effort to take advantage of their circumstances so that he could “groom and sexually abuse [the] male students.” The same defendant is also accused of using alcohol, drugs, gifts, and the privacy of the teacher's home to sexually abuse a female student. Some of the defendants claim that at the time they were abused, they were going through tough times at home. One of the victim's parents had just committed suicide; another student's father died and their mother was in a psychiatric hospital.
Both lawsuits claim that school officials were aware of the allegations but did nothing to stop it. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations for any possible criminal charges has passed but they can still file a civil lawsuit to seek compensation for their damages. A win in civil court would also provide a sense of justice to the victims and send a message to schools that sexual abuse cannot be tolerated, ignored, or swept under the rug. The school board and LFHS officials have not commented and the lawsuit did not name how much damages the sexual abuse victims will be seeking. Sexual Assault and its Prominence in America
Every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted in America. Most sexual assault victims are children, disabled, or elderly, and most of the time the victim knows the perpetrator. These predators use their status and access—like a teacher, priest, or babysitter—to take advantage of their victims. In these instances, a victim can file both criminal charges and civil charges. Criminal charges do not always work out, which is why many victims turn to civil suits for a sense of justice, to get compensation for pain and suffering, and to recoup the money they lost because of the abuse. If you or a loved one was a
victim of sexual abuse, assault, or rape, you may be eligible to pursue a civil lawsuit.
Compensation for Damages from a Sexual Assault
As we mentioned, sexual assault is not just a criminal offense that can result in jail or prison time, probation, and sexual offender registration. Victims of sexual assault can also file a civil lawsuit to receive compensation for damages suffered. Damages that sexual assault victims are entitled to relate to the physical, emotional, and mental harm caused by the abuse, and will continue to suffer as a result of the abuse. The amount and type of compensation that is available in a sexual abuse lawsuit depend on the specific facts of the case. Damages from sexual assault, like those that occur at school or other institutions, may include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Therapy and psychiatric treatment costs
- Counseling fees
- Physical pain and suffering
- Cost of relocating to a different area
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages from missed time from work
- And other costs associated with the sexual abuse
Of course, the types of damages, and how much, depend on the circumstances of the case. In egregious cases like sexual abuse, especially abuse involving an institution or organization, may also qualify for
punitive damages. These damages are awarded to the sexual abuse victim to punish the responsible party or parties for their actions and/or their negligence. A good example of a situation where punitive damages may be awarded includes cases of institutional sexual assault where the school or other organization did not properly report an allegation of sexual assault, knew about the allegations but did nothing, or the facility employed a sex offender without a thorough background check. These damages are usually reserved for situations where the acts were malicious, wanton, willful, or oppressive, or show reckless indifference to the interests of others.
Sexual Assault Survivors Have a Higher Risk of Serious Emotional Damage
Victims who suffer sexual abuse or sexual assault not only experience damages associated with medical bills, lost time from work, and other directly related costs, but they also experience other difficult circumstances that may qualify them for additional compensation. For example, sexual abuse survivors are at a much higher risk of:
- Self-Harm
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Substance Abuse
- Depression
- Panic Attacks
- Eating Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- and Suicide
The damages associated with these unfortunate side effects can also be pursued in a sexual assault civil lawsuit, depending on the situation. An
experienced sexual abuse attorney can help you and your family to determine what compensation may be available to you.
Additional Parties Could Be Liable for Sexual Assault or Sexual Abuse
In some cases, a civil lawsuit can be brought against another party, in addition to the perpetrator of the crime. For example, if the incident occurred at a school or other institution, that party could also be liable under the negligent supervision theory or because they failed to adequately protect a young or vulnerable person or group.
Chicago Sexual Assault Lawyer Near Me
If you or a loved one were a victim of institutional sexual assault or abuse, contact the lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free consultation today. Our team understands the difficulties and challenges associated with these types of cases and will handle every step of the process with compassion. We will work diligently to reduce the burden on the victim and their family so that we can get you the compensation that you deserve. Contact Abels & Annes today by calling
(312) 924-7575 or
contact us online here.