Los Angeles County has announced a tentative $828 million agreement to resolve over 400 additional lawsuits filed by victims of childhood sexual abuse in county facilities. This significant settlement, pending approval by the County Claims Board and the Board of Supervisors, follows closely on the heels of a record $4 billion settlement reached earlier this year for similar historical abuse allegations.
Avenues for Justice Opened by AB 218
The wave of claims, spanning alleged abuse from 1959 to 2023, has been largely facilitated by California’s Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218). This legislation, enacted in 2020, dramatically extended the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse, granting them 22 years from the age of adulthood to bring legal action against public entities. Prior to AB 218, the window for such lawsuits was significantly shorter, often precluding survivors from seeking justice for abuses that occurred decades earlier.
Building on a Landmark Deal
This new $828 million settlement addresses more than 400 new cases, adding to the already historic $4 billion agreement finalized in April 2025. That earlier deal resolved approximately 6,800 claims, which grew to over 11,000, and was considered the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history at the time. The individual payouts in that preceding settlement ranged from $100,000 to $3 million, with average awards for the new settlement expected to be around $2 million per person.
Mounting Financial Strain and Future Claims
The substantial payouts are placing immense financial pressure on Los Angeles County. Officials have indicated that the sheer volume of these settlements is forcing cutbacks in critical public programs and services. The county is not only grappling with the costs of these two major settlements, which will require debt repayments potentially in the hundreds of millions over two decades, but also faces an estimated 2,500 additional cases that remain unaddressed. This escalating number of claims, projected to exceed 14,000 in total, poses significant ongoing budgetary challenges. The financial strain is so considerable that county leaders have considered borrowing to manage the ballooning costs.
Addressing Fraudulent Claims and Ensuring Accountability
Recent reports and investigations have highlighted concerns regarding potential fraud within some of the claims, particularly in relation to the $4 billion settlement, with allegations that some plaintiffs may have been paid to file lawsuits. In response, Los Angeles County officials emphasize that strengthened vetting measures are in place for both settlements. An independent allocator will review each claim, and any plaintiff found to have submitted fraudulent allegations will not receive any payment. County leaders, including Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, have stated that while the system created by AB 218 is vulnerable to fraud, the county is committed to protecting taxpayers while ensuring compensation reaches true victims.
Reforms and The Path Forward
The county is also implementing reforms aimed at preventing future abuse and improving accountability. These include the establishment of a countywide hotline for reporting abuse allegations, enhanced zero-tolerance policies, and mandatory countywide training on identifying and preventing childhood sexual abuse. County officials continue to advocate for legislative reforms to address the long-term financial implications of AB 218, warning that without them, crucial safety-net programs could be undermined. The proposed $828 million settlement is a critical step in addressing historical wrongs, but the ongoing legal and financial fallout underscores the profound and lasting impact of these cases on Los Angeles County.
