In April 2025, Los Angeles County reached a historic $4 billion settlement to resolve thousands of child sexual abuse claims—marking one of the largest payouts in U.S. history for institutional abuse. The settlement addresses cases involving over 10,000 survivors, many of whom experienced abuse while in foster care, juvenile detention centers, and other county-run programs dating back to the 1960s.
Booth Law is proud to have represented nearly 100 survivors in this groundbreaking case. This is not just a legal milestone—it is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the pain these survivors have endured and a powerful reminder of the importance of holding public institutions accountable.
The Roots of the Case: AB 218 and the Window for Justice
This massive legal action became possible due to Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), a landmark California law that extended the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The bill opened a three-year window—from January 2020 through December 2022—during which survivors of any age could file civil lawsuits against their abusers or the institutions that enabled them.
The result was a surge of claims against public agencies, especially Los Angeles County, which faced allegations from thousands of individuals who suffered abuse while under county care. These lawsuits exposed long-standing systemic failures to prevent, report, and respond to abuse.
The Role of Booth Law: Standing with Survivors
Booth Law was honored to represent close to 100 survivors in this unprecedented legal effort. Many of these individuals were abused as children in foster care or while detained in county-operated juvenile facilities.
Our team has decades of experience handling institutional abuse cases, and we approached this work with the compassion, diligence, and determination these survivors deserve. For years, they were ignored. This settlement is a powerful validation of their voices and a turning point in their path toward healing.
The Legal Process and the County’s Response
The county initially argued that the volume of lawsuits could lead to financial instability and potentially disrupt essential public services. Some even warned that the settlements could compromise the county’s ability to recover from the January wildfires.
But the legal process made one thing clear: justice must not be weighed against convenience. Survivors have waited decades for their stories to be heard, and the law gave them the opportunity to finally seek accountability. The tentative $4 billion settlement will now be subject to final approval by the court, with payments expected to begin after a formal claims administration process.
Why This Settlement Matters
This settlement is not just about money. It is about recognition, accountability, and systemic change.
For survivors, the $4 billion agreement marks a critical moment of public acknowledgment—a validation of the harm they endured and the failures of institutions meant to protect them. When they reported abuse as children, they were ignored. No longer. This settlement sends a clear message that cover-ups, neglect, and indifference will no longer be tolerated.
Moreover, it sets a legal precedent for how public entities handle abuse allegations moving forward. Institutions must now take proactive steps to prevent abuse and provide meaningful support for those impacted by it.
The Human Cost: Stories Behind the Numbers
Every lawsuit in this settlement represents a person, a life, a story. Many survivors have carried the weight of trauma for decades, often suffering in silence. For some, this lawsuit was their first time ever sharing what happened to them.
Booth Law had the privilege of listening to these stories, advocating for justice, and watching survivors take back their voices. Their courage has helped shine a light on systemic issues that desperately need reform.
What Comes Next: Healing and Reform
While the legal battle may be nearing its conclusion, the journey for survivors is ongoing. Compensation can’t erase the past, but it can provide access to mental health care, housing, education, and other resources that help rebuild lives.
This case also opens the door for greater institutional reform, including mandatory reporting improvements, increased oversight in foster care, and trauma-informed training across public agencies. True justice includes preventing future harm—and this settlement must be a catalyst for change.
A Historic Moment and a Continuing Mission
The $4 billion settlement is a landmark achievement in the pursuit of justice for survivors of institutional abuse. It reflects the tireless work of attorneys, advocates, and survivors who refused to stay silent.
At Booth Law, we are honored to have been part of this fight—and we remain committed to standing with survivors, holding institutions accountable, and ensuring that what happened to them is never ignored again.
If you or a loved one has experienced abuse in a public institution and needs legal guidance, reach out to Booth Law for a free, confidential consultation. You are not alone.