California Sexual Abuse Lawsuits & Settlements

California has seen a surge of institutional sexual abuse litigation in the past decade, following major reforms to the state’s statute of limitations. Beginning in 2019, Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218) opened a claims “lookback window” and extended filing deadlines, sparking thousands of lawsuits against schools, churches, and government agencies.

Survivors of sexual abuse in California can initiate civil lawsuits against both individual abusers and institutions that failed to prevent the abuse. These lawsuits can result in significant financial settlements, holding responsible parties accountable for their actions or negligence. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse and have a potential case, call (800) 509-9747 or get help online from our legal team.

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Active California Sex Abuse Lawsuits & Investigations

California institutions facing ongoing lawsuits and investigations include Catholic dioceses, public schools, and juvenile justice agencies. Here are key highlights:

Religious Institutions

• Catholic Dioceses:
  • Diocese of Fresno – Filed for bankruptcy in 2025 after 154 claims under AB 218.
  • Diocese of Sacramento – Facing ~250 lawsuits, mostly from the 1980s or earlier; also considering bankruptcy.
  • Archdiocese of San Francisco – Filed for bankruptcy in 2023 amid over 500 new claims.
  • Archdiocese of Los Angeles – In 2024 settled 1,353 priest-abuse claims for $880 million.

Note: As of 2025, there are nearly 700 priests in the state of California who have been accused of sexual abuse and assault.

Schools & Universities

• Public Schools:
  • Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) – Facing ~370 active claims of historical child sexual abuse; has authorized bonds to fund payouts.
  • Clovis Unified (Fresno County) – Sued in 2025 by five women abused by a teacher in the 1990s.
  • LAUSD Settlement (2025) – Agreed to pay $24 million to three former students abused in 2006–07.
• Universities:
  • University of Southern California (USC) – Settled more than 1,000 claims against campus gynecologist George Tyndall for over $1.1 billion.

Government & Law Enforcement

• Los Angeles County:
  • Tentatively agreed in 2025 to a $4 billion settlement resolving ~7,000 claims of abuse in juvenile detention centers and foster care.
  • Lawsuits cite decades of systemic failures at facilities like MacLaren Children’s Center, Los Padrinos, and Central Juvenile Hall.
• Other Agencies:
  • Claremont Police settled a civil rights case for $2.9 million in 2025 after an officer’s sexual assault allegations.

Furthermore, many of California’s juvenile detention centers are under investigations for sexual abuse, assault, and misconduct.

Notable California Sex Abuse Settlements

Some of the largest institutional settlements in California over the past decade:

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Get Help From The Attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors

Navigating the complexities of sexual abuse lawsuits in California can be overwhelming. Survivors are encouraged to work with experienced attorneys who can help them understand their rights under California’s expanded laws and guide them through the available legal options. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse or assault in California, it’s important to be informed about the legal process and the steps you can take to pursue justice and fair compensation. Take the next step by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us about your case online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support.

The sexual abuse lawyers at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for our clients, including claims and cases in the state of California (such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco). Our attorneys provide legal support to survivors for various case types including: