Settlement to be paid over five years, balancing compensation for victims with fiscal
stability for L.A. County; largest-ever resolution against a municipality for sexual abuse claims.
LOS ANGELES (April 29, 2025) – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a historic $4 billion settlement between Los Angeles County and more than 7,000 victims of systemic sexual abuse at its juvenile detention facilities. The resolution of these sexual abuse claims represents a step toward RESTORATIVE JUSTICE for victims, who were children and predominantly youth of color, many of whom were in foster care enduring decades of abuse under a system meant to protect them. This resolution reflects the County’s responsibility to protect public safety and health while balancing fiscal responsibility — goals that are not mutually exclusive. Yet significant remedial steps remain for the County to undertake to ensure that today’s children in its care never experience this type of systemic abuse. A majority of the plaintiffs are represented by the law firms ACTS Law, Beck Law Group, Boucher LLP, Herman Law, McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, and Slater Slater Schulman LLP.
“Most of these survivors have carried the burden of repeated sexual assaults in silence, unable or afraid to speak to anyone about it. The opening of the statute helped bring sunshine to decades of darkness for survivors suffering since childhood. It has, and will, save the lives of many survivors who had no place to turn. Hopefully, this resolution will help bring closure and a sense of vindication for the shame and humiliation they have suffered. While the ultimate settlement number is significant, it can never bring full justice to the victims,” said attorney Ray Boucher of Boucher LLP.