Los Angeles County has announced a new $828 million settlement to address over 400 civil claims of childhood sexual abuse under California's AB 218 law. This legislation extended the statute of limitations, allowing survivors to sue their abusers. This settlement follows a historic $4 billion agreement earlier this year, covering similar claims.
The recent settlement, announced on Friday, is pending approval by the board of supervisors and the county claims board. According to ABC7, Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, stated, "Our settlements balance our obligation to compensate victims and treat their experiences with compassion, with the need to put strong protections in place to protect taxpayers from fraud."
The county is investigating allegations of fraudulent claims, particularly those linked to the Downtown LA Law Group (DTLA). The firm denies any wrongdoing, but the county plans to scrutinize claims from the firm more closely. Plaintiffs found to have submitted false claims will not receive payouts.
The settlements have placed financial strain on the county, which is still dealing with the aftermath of recent wildfires. Joe Nicchitta, the acting county chief executive, emphasized the need for "common sense fixes" to balance obligations to victims and the county's financial health.
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