When a child is the victim of sexual abuse in a school setting, the emotional and psychological effects often last far beyond the incident itself. Therapy is not just recommended—it’s often necessary. Our Sacramento, CA school sexual abuse lawyer knows it can help the child process trauma, build coping skills, and begin to recover in a healthy, supported way. Many children may need long-term counseling to address anxiety, depression, trust issues, or PTSD symptoms. Some may require therapy well into adulthood.
Unfortunately, the cost of that care can be high. Weekly sessions, evaluations, and specialized trauma counseling often fall outside of what insurance will fully cover. In cases involving school abuse, it’s important for parents and guardians to know that compensation may be available to help pay for a child’s therapy and mental health support. We have over 5 years of experience with these specific types of cases, so don’t hesitate to contact us for a confidential consultation. We can go over what steps you need to take.
Legal Options To Cover Therapy Costs
If abuse occurred at school, whether by a staff member or another student, there may be legal grounds for a civil claim. These cases often involve claims of negligence by the school or district, such as failure to supervise, failure to report warning signs, or failure to protect students from known risks. In other cases, the school may have hired someone with a known history of misconduct or failed to act on prior complaints.
A civil claim can result in compensation that covers a wide range of losses. In these cases, therapy costs are often a significant part of the damages we pursue. This includes current therapy, projected future therapy, and related costs like evaluations or special accommodations.
Working With Mental Health Providers
To build a strong claim, we work with licensed mental health providers to document the impact of the abuse and the need for treatment. We also rely on written evaluations, billing records, and treatment plans to show the scope and cost of care. This information supports the claim for damages and helps establish the long-term needs of the minor.
It’s also important to address the emotional and non-economic toll the abuse has taken. While therapy bills are easier to quantify, the damage to a child’s emotional well-being, trust, and ability to feel safe is just as important. Those damages—called pain and suffering—are often significant in these cases.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Depending on the facts, more than one party may be legally responsible. This could include the individual who committed the abuse, school employees who failed to report or intervene, and the school district itself. Some cases also involve third-party contractors, such as security or after-school program staff. When we investigate these claims, we look at all the facts to determine who should be held accountable.
How We Can Help
At Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, we take these cases very seriously. We work closely with families to understand what happened, protect the privacy of the child involved, and build a clear, detailed claim for compensation. Our goal is to make sure the child receives the support they need—both now and in the future. If your child was harmed in a school setting and needs therapy as a result, we’re here to help you take the next steps and advocate on their behalf. We solely represent victims of abuse, so you can count on us to be your advocate. Contact our office to speak with a member of our team. We’ll explain your legal options and help you pursue compensation to support your child’s recovery.