sexual abuse damages

Corrections agrees to $450,000 settlement in Lincoln prison rape lawsuit – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Dirk May Illinois, In the news, Law, Lawyers , , , ,

The Illinois Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $450,000 to a man who says he was punished and humiliated by prison officials after he reported that his cellmate raped him at the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.The man’s attorneys announced the settlement of his federal lawsuit Friday.He was imprisoned for eight months for a minor drug offense and was housed in a cell with a gang member serving 22 years for armed robbery who had a record of starting prison fights.The lawsuit says

Source: Corrections agrees to $450,000 settlement in Lincoln prison rape lawsuit – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

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This case shows that even prisoners have legal rights that may result in a damages settlement or award.

Activists push for stricter laws in wake of Hastert abuse case – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Dirk May Help, Illinois, In the news, Law , ,

Source: Activists push for stricter laws in wake of Hastert abuse case – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

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It makes sense to make it easier for victims of sexual abuse to go after abusers with laws that do not allow them to hide behind procedural limits. Such as short statute of limitations or strict rules of evidence.

‘Individual A’ sues Dennis Hastert for unpaid hush money – News – Journal Star – Peoria, IL

Dirk May Illinois, In the news , ,

Source: ‘Individual A’ sues Dennis Hastert for unpaid hush money – News – Journal Star – Peoria, IL

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Raises some interesting legal issues. Someone is allowed to sue another person who sexually molests them. However, the law puts time limits on when a lawsuit can be filed. The idea is that it becomes difficult to obtain evidence after a certain length of time. This lawsuit appears to not actually be based on damages from the original sexual abuse, rather it is based on failure to live up to an agreement to pay money for the underlying abuse. Hastert is being sued for breach of contract. He may raise the defense of whether it is legal to contract for bribe money. Certainly, there is no sympathy for his actions. How the law addresses this will worth watching.