KEDREN HEALTH INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting For Survivors Sexually Abused at Kedren Health Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital in California

Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that patients were allegedly abused and neglected at Kedren Health Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital in South Los Angeles. 

This nonprofit facility was established in the 1960s to provide mental health, primary care, and family services to the local community. While the hospital manages a significant volume of inpatient psychiatric beds funded by the county, it has come under intense scrutiny following reports of severe safety lapses and misconduct. Allegations include systemic failures in patient monitoring and a lack of proper psychiatric evaluations, which reportedly contributed to violent encounters between residents. Legal investigations also focus on claims of staff-on-patient physical abuse and the improper administration of medication within the facility.

If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.

History of Sexual Abuse at Kedren Health Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital in California

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:

• In October 2019, reports revealed multiple allegations of misconduct and safety failures at the Kedren Health Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital in California.

The facility allegedly failed to hire enough staff, properly train staff, provide adequate mental health evaluations or treatment, and properly investigate these complaints.

• In November 2017, a patient was allegedly strangled to death by his roommate. Inspectors found that the facility failed to monitor the room and did not perform a psychiatric evaluation on the alleged assailant, who was considered psychotic and suicidal. 

One patient was allegedly choked by a staff member, while another patient was allegedly sexually assaulted by her roommate. Another incident involved an employee allegedly forcefully throwing a patient against a wall.

Inspection reports also detailed widespread safety issues, including nurses routinely administering medication without consulting a doctor and forging documentation. 

Former employees have filed lawsuits alleging they were fired for reporting dangerous practices and insurance fraud.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center staff member.
• The abuse occurred at any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention facility.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold youth residential treatment facilities,  juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect young residents.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

California Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims are not able to file claims or recover compensation.

Fortunately, California has recognized that the statute of limitations can act as a barrier to justice for sexual abuse survivors, which research has shown can take years or decades to come to terms with their abuse and the damages it had caused. As such, California passed the Child Victims Act in 2019 to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits.

Under the CA Child Victims Act

• Survivors sexually abused as minors can file claims until age 40 (22 years after turning 18)

Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your case against California youth residential facility or juvenile detention center can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.

We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and youth residential treatment facilities. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.