Los Angeles agrees to pay $828m to settle more sexual abuse claims

Los Angeles County to Pay $828 Million to Settle More Sexual Abuse Claims Amid Unprecedented Financial Strain.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has agreed to pay an additional $828 million to settle more than 400 claims of sexual abuse against county employees, bringing the total amount set aside for victims of childhood sex abuse in juvenile facilities to nearly $4 billion. The latest settlement comes six months after the board approved a historic $4 billion settlement with about 11,000 claimants.

The new settlement is part of an ongoing effort by the county to compensate victims of long-standing abuse allegations that date back decades. Despite the massive payouts, officials say they remain committed to providing strong protections for taxpayers and preventing future cases of fraud. However, critics argue that the law allowing these lawsuits has created a "gold rush" atmosphere, where people are encouraged to file claims with little verification.

According to authorities, nearly 2,500 other unresolved cases remain, which is expected to increase. The county's financial problems have mounted after recent wildfires ravaged the region, adding to an already strained budget. The settlements have also led to cuts in critical programs and services, highlighting a need for "common sense fixes" that balance victim rights with public entity obligations.

As authorities investigate allegations of people being paid to file claims, the county is implementing new safeguards to prevent abuse. A new hotline for reporting child sexual abuse allegations against county employees is expected to be operational by year's end. However, officials acknowledge that the law allowing these lawsuits has placed severe financial stress on the county, and they must find ways to navigate this complex situation.

The county has emphasized its commitment to treating victims' experiences with compassion while also protecting taxpayers from potential fraud. The individual awards under the latest settlement will be determined based on factors such as the severity of abuse alleged. However, concerns remain about the credibility of every claim, particularly those involving potentially fraudulent submissions.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this... $4 billion is insane! Like, what's going on here? We're talking about a system that's supposed to protect kids and now it's all about the money? I get why they want to compensate the victims, but $828 million more? It just doesn't seem fair. And what about the people who are being paid to file claims? That's not right at all . Can we please have some common sense here? We need to fix this system so that it's not just a money grab.

Ugh, LA County is literally paying out millions to settle more sex abuse claims . Like, can't they just pay us all a raise or something instead? . Seriously though, $828 million is a lot of money and it's good that they're taking responsibility for the victims. But at the same time, 400+ new claims is crazy . I mean, who knew these cases were still piling up after all these years?

And yeah, the financial strain on the county is real . Who needs wildfires to mess up their budget? . But seriously, it's a shame that some people are getting paid to file claims without proper verification . That just doesn't sit right.

I'm glad they're implementing new safeguards though . A hotline for reporting abuse is a good start, and I hope it helps prevent more cases from going down the drain . But we need common sense fixes that balance victim rights with public entity obligations - that's not too much to ask, right? .

I mean, can you believe the numbers they're talking about? $828 million just for a few more claims... it's crazy . And to think, we're still trying to figure out how many people are actually getting paid to file these claims... it sounds like a total scam . The problem is, they don't have enough resources to properly investigate and verify everything, so some people are just gonna get caught up in the system and get taken advantage of .

But at the same time, I get why they're trying to make these payouts happen - it's not like the victims' experiences were somehow fabricated or anything. It's just that we need to find a way to balance making sure these people are treated fairly with keeping our taxes from getting totally out of control .

It's like, what's common sense here? Can't they see that this is creating more problems than it's solving?

I'm not surprised by this latest development - it's just another example of the complex web of accountability and victim rights in a system that's already struggling to cope with its own issues . $4 billion is a staggering amount, and while I get why the county wants to protect its employees, can't we find a better way to support those who've been traumatised without putting an undue burden on taxpayers? It's like the old adage says: you can't put a price on dignity . And what really gets me is that some people are already trying to exploit this system by filing fake claims - it's just a matter of time before we see some scammers getting caught up in this mess .

Ugh, can't believe the county is still getting slammed with these abuse claims ! I mean, I get it, people have been through horrific stuff and need justice, but $828 million? That's insane ! And now they're having to cut programs because of it... what's the point? It's like, can't we find a way to balance victim rights with not bankrupting ourselves? We need more common sense here, you know?

man this is getting outta hand $4 billion already and it's still not enough like what are they gonna do when there are 2500 more unresolved cases and I feel for the victims but at the same time these lawyers and their clients gotta be careful too no one wants to get scammed

omg i'm literally shook rn $828 million is a HUGE chunk of change and it's just going to keep piling up because of all these unresolved cases... like what even is the solution here? i know they're trying to help victims but at the same time taxpayers are getting hit hard too. it's so unfair that some people might get paid to file claims without proper verification lol like, how do we prevent that? i'm just keeping my fingers crossed that they can find a way to balance everything out

I'm truly disheartened by the news that Los Angeles County is shelling out a whopping $828 million to settle more sexual abuse claims . It's staggering to think that nearly 400 individuals will receive this amount, considering the county is already reeling from financial strain due to recent wildfires . The system is clearly broken, with many unresolved cases still pending, and I worry about the impact on taxpayers who are being asked to foot the bill .

It's also concerning that some have alleged people are getting paid to file claims, which could lead to abuse of the system . However, I do appreciate the county's efforts to implement new safeguards and provide a hotline for reporting child sexual abuse allegations by year's end . Transparency is key in such situations, but it's also crucial that we acknowledge the complexities involved in balancing victim rights with public entity obligations .

The fact remains, though, that we need common sense fixes to address this issue, rather than just relying on large settlements . It's not about prioritizing victims' experiences over taxpayer concerns; it's about finding a balance that works for everyone .

omg $828 million is crazy like what even is that? and i dont get why they gotta settle so many claims at once... can we talk about something else? did u see that new tiktok challenge with the dancing dogs? i tried to learn how to do it but my dog just wont cooperate lol

Can't believe how much money they're shelling out for this $828 million is crazy, and it's not even like it's gonna solve anything in the long run. I mean, we all know some people are gonna try to scam the system just because there's a payout involved. The county needs to find ways to make sure these claims are legitimate before they start doling out cash willy-nilly . And honestly, $4 billion is already too much, it's like they're throwing money at the problem without even thinking about how they're gonna pay for it in the first place . They need to get creative with finding solutions that benefit everyone, not just the victims

I don’t usually comment but I feel like $4 billion is a pretty steep price to pay for people who were traumatized in their childhoods . I mean, I get it that these people deserve justice and compensation, but at what cost to the taxpayers? It's just that all this money being thrown around seems excessive to me . And with so many other pressing issues facing our community, like homelessness and education, does $4 billion really have to be dedicated to settling these claims . Don't get me wrong, I think victims of abuse deserve help, but can't we find a way to balance their needs with the needs of everyone else?

this is getting outta control... 4 billion dollars and still more coming? its like we're just enabling people to sue for anything how many of these claims are even legit? seems like some folks are just cashing in on the system cant they just find a way to balance helping victims with not bankrupting themselves?

ugh this is getting outta control ... I mean think about it $4 billion already spent & we've only just begun? what's next? more payouts to lawyers? they need to tighten up their process for filing claims, this "gold rush" thing is getting ridiculous.

ugh I'm really troubled by this... $828 million is a ton of cash but it's gonna come from somewhere that already has people struggling . I feel bad for all the victims but it's hard to see how we're supposed to balance victim rights with public funds when there just isn't enough money around . And yeah, the hotline sounds like a good idea, but it's still a huge financial burden on the county... what are they gonna do?

I feel so bad for all these victims who suffered through this awful trauma and now they're getting some financial help. $828 million is still a huge amount but it's better than nothing, right? I think the county should also focus on providing support services like counseling and therapy to help them heal.

It's crazy how much money is being spent on these settlements - $4 billion! It's putting a lot of pressure on taxpayers. I hope they find ways to balance victim rights with public entity obligations, like finding common sense fixes for the problem.

I also think the new hotline for reporting child sexual abuse allegations is a great idea. That way, officials can take action if there are any suspicious claims being filed. Let's hope it makes a difference in preventing future cases of fraud .

OMG u gotta feel 4 these victims who suffered in silence 4 so long it's just not right that they're still waiting 4 justice. but i know some ppl r saying its a gold rush and thats a valid concern - how do we verify all these claims without putting innocent people in danger? at the same time, $828 million is LITERALLY LIFE CHANGING for these families

i think the county is trying 2 find that balance btwn victim rights & public entity obligations... its not easy but i'm just glad they r taking steps 2 prevent abuse in the first place. the new hotline sounds like a great idea, lets get those cases resolved already!

Ugh I mean I get why they gotta pay up but $828 million is a lot it's like they're throwing money at the problem instead of actually fixing the system that created these issues in the first place...and what's with all these new "safeguards" they're implementing? It feels like just band-aids on a bullet wound I'm not saying victims don't deserve help, but can't we find better ways to support them without breaking the bank?