Were You or Your Child a Victim of Sexual Abuse or Misconduct at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall?
The rights of minors are every bit as important and sacred as those of adults, even if they have been incarcerated at a juvenile facility. Unfortunately, oftentimes, minors and adults who are detained are often treated as second-class citizens. At juvenile halls especially, detained minors are wrongfully mistreated, abused, and subjected to abysmal conditions. Nowhere is this allegedly truer than at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles County where allegations of unsuitable housing, physical and sexual abuse, and drug abuse run rampant.
If you or your child have been sexually abused while detained at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, contact one of our compassionate and dedicated injury lawyers today for a free consultation. You deserve better.
What Has Happened at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall?
Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall’s history is rife with horrific abuse allegations and claims that the facility is overall “unsuitable” for confining minors. Over the past five years alone, the facility faced lawsuits and allegations for the sexual abuse of more than 300 detained minors, the death of a detainee due to fentanyl overdose, physical abuse and excessive force, the extreme use of pepper spray, the inability to get students to school on time, and other cases of misconduct. In particular, these claims of sexual abuse and misconduct at the hands of staff paint a grim and sickening picture of what goes on behind the walls of Barry J (as it is commonly known).
California’s Board of State and Community Corrections has deemed the facility “unsuitable” and provided many opportunities for Los Angeles County to resolve the allegations, even going so far as to close the hall entirely in 2021. However, the Nidorf Juvenile Hall has reopened and allegedly continues to injure and violate the rights of its detainees.
Sexual Abuse Allegations at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall
The sexual abuse allegations surrounding Barry J and other Los Angeles County juvenile facilities claim that more than 600 detained children were victims of consistent sexual abuse during their confinement at Barry J and other locations. This record of abuse dates back to the 1990s and often, say the allegations, at the hands of the same staff over the course of years. Abuse victims in Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and other LA County facilities claim they were threatened, abused, attacked, or coerced into silence. One individual – a 15-year-old girl – claims she attempted to report the abuse but was dismissed, ignored, and placed into solitary confinement.
The horrific state of affairs at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall demands more than temporary closures. BD&J’s team of principled, dedicated attorneys aim to hold bad actors, the hall, and the county accountable for their parts to play in allowing the sexual abuse of children detained in their facility.
If you or your child were sexually abused while detained in Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, contact one of our lawyers to begin obtaining justice. Complete the form to schedule your consultation with one of our compassionate lawyers today.
What Lawsuit Damages Can Victims of the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall Staff Demand?
If you or your child were sexually abused at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, you could be eligible for many types of compensation. Each situation is unique, so speak with your BD&J injury lawyer about your experience at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. They can help guide you on which damages you may be eligible for. Some common types of compensation are:
- Medical bills
- Therapy fees
- Medication or medical device bills
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Lost wages or lost opportunities for injured minors who can no longer work or pursue their passions
- And more.
How Long Do Parents or Former Detainees of Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall Have to Contact a Lawyer?
We recommend contacting a lawyer as soon as possible if you or your child were sexually abused at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. However, we recognize that many times, sexual abuse victims may take some time to open up about their experiences.
For sexual abuse victims that are 18 or older at the time of the abuse, the statute of limitations is 10 years in California. For those who were minors when the abuse occurred, their statute of limitations is determined by when the abuse occurred. If it occurred before 2024, the statute of limitations is either the victim’s 40th birthday or five years after the discovery of psychological or physical illness due to the abuse. Minors abused during 2024 or later have no statute of limitations on their sexual abuse claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall Still Open?
Yes. Despite its troubled history, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar is open. The facility was previously closed due to being deemed an “unsuitable” environment. However, it has since reopened.
Do I Still Have Rights Even if I Was Incarcerated for a Violent Offense?
Yes! Whether you are in or out of juvenile detention, you always have human and constitutional rights. No one is allowed to harm you wantonly. If you’ve been abused in detention at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, contact our team of compassionate lawyers today.
Can I Remove My Child from Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall with the Help of a Lawyer?
Some lawyers can assist with filing the appropriate paperwork to request a transfer to a different juvenile hall. However, if the child’s permanent address remains in LA County, they will likely remain in the same juvenile hall.
How to Retain a Lawyer to Protect Your or Your Child’s Rights
If you or your child were sexually abused while housed in Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in California, a lawyer may be able to help you claim compensation. Follow these steps to contact a California injury attorney with BD&J.
- Collect documentation on your or your child’s abuse. Keeping photos of injuries, journal entries, testimonies, and communication records to present to your personal injury attorney at BD&J can help expedite the filing of your claim.
- Contact our personal injury team. Complete our form to receive a call from one of our team members regarding your potential case. Our lawyers will review the information you provide and begin the process of filing.
- Stay in contact with us. Our personal injury attorneys will be keeping you informed as your claim progresses. However, we empower our clients to participate in their claim and may need to discuss the process with you.
Serving Injured California Residents for More Than 20 Years
At BD&J, our priority is your and your child’s wellbeing. We believe that a person’s history does not preclude them from exercising and defending their rights. The safety of minors is of paramount importance to us. That’s why our team is available 24/7 from anywhere in California. We’ve claimed more than $2 billion* in compensation for our clients. If you or your child were sexually abused while in the custody of Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, contact our injury lawyer team at 855-906-3699 or complete the form.
*BD&J attorneys have recovered in aggregate over Two Billion Dollars for their clients is derived from the total recoveries achieved by BD&J and its affiliated lawyers from various sources for their clients. These recoveries include but are not limited to recoveries for property damage claims, medical payments benefits claims, bodily injury claims, recovery of workers’ compensation benefits and other compensation derived for the benefit of their clients. The total Two Billion Dollar amount also includes recoveries achieved as a result of co-counsel ventures with outside law firms, from results obtained by current BD&J partners while they held previous positions within other law firms, and by each of the partners’ previous individual legal ventures.
The information contained within this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this website should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
