Okabe & Haushalter
Call Today! 310-543-7708
Call Today! 310-543-7708
Okabe & Haushalter

Pacific Palisades School Misconduct Attorney

School Misconduct Lawyer Pacific Palisades

When we send our children to school, we do so because we expect that a quality learning environment relatively free from harm will be provided to them when they attend classes. When you find out that your child has been victimized as a result of school misconduct, a shockwave of multiple emotions is expected: anger, horror, shock. The place you entrusted your child’s well-being to has failed you, and you don’t know where to turn for help. That is where we come in. The team at Okabe and Haushalter are the Pacific Palisades school misconduct attorneys who can help you get real justice in civil court.

What if the offender has already been punished?

Even if the person directly charged with misconduct-related crimes has been penalized under the criminal justice system, the school itself and its staff members may be held accountable for allowing the misconduct to occur in the first place. While the criminal court handles matters of innocence and guilt and sentencing convicted criminals, the civil court handles matters of liability and negligence on the part of another party. If your child’s school failed to provide reasonable protection from a staff member’s misconduct in some way, they can be held accountable in civil court even if the direct offender has already been charged and sentenced in criminal court.

What constitutes negligence in school misconduct cases?

Negligence can come in many forms. In cases involving school misconduct, negligence could take the form of a staff member being cognizant of the crimes being committed on school grounds and refusing to report them. A school’s failure to provide reasonable security measures or reasonable supervision of staff members who interact with students could also be considered negligent, making the school liable if misconduct is committed under those circumstances. In short, if the school or its staff members failed to use reasonable care to ensure your child’s safety and your child was victimized, the school can be sued in civil court for that failure.

What to expect in civil court

Unlike criminal court cases, civil court cases do not involve a defendant and their guilt or innocence. Rather, the civil court will determine if third-party negligence led to damages, and may quantify those damages in the form of restitution paid by the party found liable for those damages. Damages may involve persons or property, including the pain and suffering endured by victims of criminals. If you choose to hire an attorney from Okabe and Haushalter, you can expect a lawyer who will go to bat for you in civil court and will do everything possible to get you and your family the maximum award for damages.

We can assist you and your family with a civil case

If you or a loved one was victimized because of school misconduct, an experienced civil court lawyer can help you see justice done. Contact the Pacific Palisades school misconduct attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter for a no-cost case evaluation today. Our civil law experts can aid you in building a civil case, and you may qualify to receive a monetary award. Call us now to learn more about how we can advocate for you in the civil courtroom.