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Sexual Torts
There may be no firm in America with greater breadth or depth of experience defending institutions sued for sexual assaults by employees, or others. We have defended hundreds of claims against schools, youth organizations, residential homes for children or elderly populations, property owners, religious organizations, security companies, for-profit and not-for-profit businesses in lawsuits arising out of sexual assaults by employees, visitors, customers and clients upon both adults and children. Sedgwick lawyers draw on a wealth of experience in the emerging law in this area, which Sedgwick has helped to shape, both to defend institutions charged with liability for sexual torts and to offer advice on preventative measures to avoid lawsuits. Sedgwick does not typically represent individuals accused of sexual assault, instead representing persons or institutions accused of a duty to prevent or protect against the assault.
There may be no firm in America with greater breadth or depth of experience defending institutions sued for sexual assaults by employees, or others. We have defended hundreds of claims against schools, youth organizations, residential homes for children or elderly populations, property owners, religious organizations, security companies, for-profit and not-for-profit businesses in lawsuits arising out of sexual assaults by employees, visitors, customers and clients upon both adults and children. Sedgwick lawyers draw on a wealth of experience in the emerging law in this area, which Sedgwick has helped to shape, both to defend institutions charged with liability for sexual torts and to offer advice on preventative measures to avoid lawsuits. Sedgwick does not typically represent individuals accused of sexual assault, instead representing persons or institutions accused of a duty to prevent or protect against the assault.
Although victims in these cases can be either adults or children at the time of the assault, a large portion of the cases Sedgwick has defended have involved child victims. When the victim is still a child at the time the case is resolved, Sedgwick can draw on its large experience in the use of structured settlements. Sedgwick also has a wealth of trial experience in these claims.
Schools and Preschools In 1984, the nation was shocked by news reports of accusations that a hundred children had accused day care workers at the McMartin Preschool in Manhattan Beach, California, of sexual abuse. Accusations of sexual abuse in other preschools followed in the wake of the McMartin accusations. In 1984, an association of about 1,000 preschools in California asked Sedgwick to develop a response team to assist preschools in handling accusations of sexual abuse. In the mid- to late 1980s there was a large volume of accusations of sexual molestation of children in preschools by teachers, unpaid volunteers, visitors or other children. Sedgwick has advised or defended such individuals from all such types of accusations. In the course of doing so, Sedgwick attorneys have visited more than 100 schools and preschools to meet with and advise teachers, staff, principals and administrators during police and children’s protective service questioning.
The relationship between schools and preschool associations and Sedgwick has continued for a quarter of a century, even as accusations of sexual misconduct against preschools have vastly diminished. Sedgwick lawyers have offered dozens of seminars at conferences and at other educational programs about the law relating to liability of schools and how to minimize the risk of such suits.
Religious Organizations
Sedgwick has defended hundreds of cases against religious organizations asserting liability for sexual assault by a priest, pastor, lay employee, pastoral counselor, employed psychologist or member of the parish, congregation or ward against another adult or child. Sedgwick attorneys took a leading role in the resolution of the wave of revived child sexual abuse cases in California.
Sexual Harassment
Sedgwick has defended many claims alleging sexual harassment in employment, as well as sexual harassment in schools, under Title IX and otherwise, and sexual harassment in landlord/tenant and professional/client settings.
Employment Terminations Related to Sexual Assaults
Sedgwick has defended employers accused of wrongfully terminating employees found to have committed sexual assaults or harassment, and has defended employers accused of wrongfully terminating employees in retaliation for making reports of sexual harassment or sexual assault to the employer, law enforcement or licensing authorities.
Insurance Issues
As a firm, Sedgwick has a vast capacity to represent clients in virtually any insurance controversy, including insurance coverage for sexual assault. When Sedgwick attorneys are asked to defend persons or institutions against claims of sexual wrongdoing where insurance is potentially available, we have become adept at successfully defending claims while remaining sensitive to, but neutral concerning, the potential insurance coverage issues. Sedgwick believes it has enjoyed the trust of both insureds and insurers to vigorously defend sexual tort claims while remaining scrupulously neutral as to potential coverage issues.
Expert Testimony
Because of the wealth of experience Sedgwick attorneys possess in the area of sexual tort claims, Sedgwick attorneys have been retained to give expert testimony concerning the standards of practice of attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving sexual misconduct claims and concerning the valuation of childhood sexual assault claims.
There may be no firm in America with greater breadth or depth of experience defending institutions sued for sexual assaults by employees, or others. We have defended hundreds of claims against schools, youth organizations, residential homes for children or elderly populations, property owners, religious organizations, security companies, for-profit and not-for-profit businesses in lawsuits arising out of sexual assaults by employees, visitors, customers and clients upon both adults and children. Sedgwick lawyers draw on a wealth of experience in the emerging law in this area, which Sedgwick has helped to shape, both to defend institutions charged with liability for sexual torts and to offer advice on preventative measures to avoid lawsuits. Sedgwick does not typically represent individuals accused of sexual assault, instead representing persons or institutions accused of a duty to prevent or protect against the assault.
Although victims in these cases can be either adults or children at the time of the assault, a large portion of the cases Sedgwick has defended have involved child victims. When the victim is still a child at the time the case is resolved, Sedgwick can draw on its large experience in the use of structured settlements. Sedgwick also has a wealth of trial experience in these claims.
Schools and Preschools In 1984, the nation was shocked by news reports of accusations that a hundred children had accused day care workers at the McMartin Preschool in Manhattan Beach, California, of sexual abuse. Accusations of sexual abuse in other preschools followed in the wake of the McMartin accusations. In 1984, an association of about 1,000 preschools in California asked Sedgwick to develop a response team to assist preschools in handling accusations of sexual abuse. In the mid- to late 1980s there was a large volume of accusations of sexual molestation of children in preschools by teachers, unpaid volunteers, visitors or other children. Sedgwick has advised or defended such individuals from all such types of accusations. In the course of doing so, Sedgwick attorneys have visited more than 100 schools and preschools to meet with and advise teachers, staff, principals and administrators during police and children’s protective service questioning.
The relationship between schools and preschool associations and Sedgwick has continued for a quarter of a century, even as accusations of sexual misconduct against preschools have vastly diminished. Sedgwick lawyers have offered dozens of seminars at conferences and at other educational programs about the law relating to liability of schools and how to minimize the risk of such suits.
Religious Organizations
Sedgwick has defended hundreds of cases against religious organizations asserting liability for sexual assault by a priest, pastor, lay employee, pastoral counselor, employed psychologist or member of the parish, congregation or ward against another adult or child. Sedgwick attorneys took a leading role in the resolution of the wave of revived child sexual abuse cases in California.
Sexual Harassment
Sedgwick has defended many claims alleging sexual harassment in employment, as well as sexual harassment in schools, under Title IX and otherwise, and sexual harassment in landlord/tenant and professional/client settings.
Employment Terminations Related to Sexual Assaults
Sedgwick has defended employers accused of wrongfully terminating employees found to have committed sexual assaults or harassment, and has defended employers accused of wrongfully terminating employees in retaliation for making reports of sexual harassment or sexual assault to the employer, law enforcement or licensing authorities.
Insurance Issues
As a firm, Sedgwick has a vast capacity to represent clients in virtually any insurance controversy, including insurance coverage for sexual assault. When Sedgwick attorneys are asked to defend persons or institutions against claims of sexual wrongdoing where insurance is potentially available, we have become adept at successfully defending claims while remaining sensitive to, but neutral concerning, the potential insurance coverage issues. Sedgwick believes it has enjoyed the trust of both insureds and insurers to vigorously defend sexual tort claims while remaining scrupulously neutral as to potential coverage issues.
Expert Testimony
Because of the wealth of experience Sedgwick attorneys possess in the area of sexual tort claims, Sedgwick attorneys have been retained to give expert testimony concerning the standards of practice of attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving sexual misconduct claims and concerning the valuation of childhood sexual assault claims.
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