MacLaren Hall Sex Abuse Lawyers Fiercely Fighting for Justice for Their Clients Across the Nation

For decades, MacLaren Hall was supposed to provide safe, temporary housing for children from the Los Angeles area who were awaiting placement into homes in the foster system. However, the reality for the children placed there was far from that. For many, it was a dangerous, traumatic experience. There have been widespread allegations of physical and sexual abuse perpetrated by both staff and other children. These allegations were even made while MacLaren Hall was in operation, but they were ignored or denied. If you or a family member were a victim of sexual abuse or molestation while housed at MacLaren Hall, you may be entitled to compensation. Our lawyers at Greg Jones Law, P.A. will fight to ensure you get the justice, closure, and financial compensation you deserve. You have rights under the law. Call us today at (855)566-3752 to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

What Occurred at MacLaren Hall?

During its operation from the 1960s until it was closed following a class action lawsuit in 2003, MacLaren Hall housed thousands of children waiting to be placed into foster homes. Unfortunately, it was desperately overcrowded and understaffed. The staff was often not fully trained to handle the needs of the children in their care. MacLaren’s system was also flawed as it put children who had been taken from abusive or broken homes and put them with children with psychiatric disorders and juvenile delinquents, where they were in danger yet again. For years, the vulnerable children at MacLaren allegedly suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of both staff members and other children. The allegations have included beatings, restraints, confinements, over-medication, rape, and other types of assault. These children were failed by the County, who then refused to acknowledge that these horrible offenses had taken place, even with mounting evidence and accusations. It is claimed that many of the records from MacLaren Hall have now been lost or destroyed, but there are still many victims coming forward who say they remember. MacLaren Hall decimated the childhoods of many, and those who were subjected to this abuse and their families deserve justice for what happened.

What Are the Long Term Effects of Suffering Sexual Abuse?

Being a victim of childhood sexual abuse can have lasting impacts on an individual. When a child is taken advantage of by those who are supposed to protect them, it can have devastating effects that can show up throughout their lives. Some of the effects correlated with sexual abuse in childhood include:
● Depression
● Eating disorders
● Guilt, shame, and self-blame
● Anxiety
● Dissociative patterns
● Relationship problems
● Sexual problems
● Denial
● Repression
Therapy and counseling are strongly recommended for anyone who was abused as a child because it is such a traumatic experience during a formative time of life. Therapy may also make it easier to speak out about what occurred so you can bring to justice those who harmed you. Our team at Greg Jones Law, P.A. understands that this is a very delicate subject for those involved, and we will handle your case with the utmost care and confidentiality.

What Compensation Could Be Recovered in a Settlement?

Nothing can fully compensate for what happened to children housed at MacLaren Hall, but being awarded a settlement may make life a little easier for the victims and their families. Often, judges will order the perpetrators to pay restitution to the victims for the pain and suffering they’ve endured due to the abuse. They may also have to pay for any counseling or medical treatment that has been required over the years as a result of the abuse. This amount can vary based on the discretion of the judge, but our lawyers will fight to ensure that you get the fair compensation you are entitled to.
We also understand that part of the healing process for some victims includes a desire to have their trauma recognized and confirmed by the county and city, along with strategies to prevent a situation like this from ever happening to the children in the foster system again. By having their day in court, MacLaren Hall abuse victims are forcing the City of Los Angeles to reckon with its past offenses and may possibly be able to effect change for the future. We believe in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and will work to get you the closure you need.

How Can Hiring a Lawyer Benefit the MacLaren Hall Sexual Abuse Victims?

The County and the City of Los Angeles have repeatedly refused to take responsibility for what occurred at MacLaren Hall. There are still issues with their foster system, with more children in the system than can be placed into foster homes and continuing difficulties housing and caring properly for all of them. We at Greg Jones Law, P.A. believe that children within the foster system deserve better, and those who have failed them need to be held accountable. If you or a family member were a victim of sexual abuse at MacLaren Hall, even if it happened many years ago, we will fight to get you the compensation and closure you deserve. We know it may be difficult to talk about these traumatic experiences, but we will handle your case with compassion and care and can direct you to any needed resources to continue your healing. To schedule a free, 100% confidential consultation, contact us today at (855)566-3752.