Maison Law represents the victims of sexual assaults and rape that occur on or around California State University Bakersfield. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for injured victims when the leaders of colleges, fraternities, and sororities fail in their duty to keep students, members, and guests safe from harm. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all victims and their families. Contact us to set up a case review that’s completely confidential.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Being Sexually Assaulted on the CSU Bakersfield Campus?
College sexual assault victims must receive the care and support necessary to rebuild their lives after a traumatic incident. Unfortunately, there are times when a university or a fraternity can stand in the way of justice for victims. Those individuals or entities who allowed a rape or sexual assault to occur can hide behind state laws and teams of lawyers, leaving victims alone and without the support they need to recover.
You shouldn’t face what is often a difficult and frustrating battle alone. You should speak to a lawyer about their cases and find out how to best hold a school system or a Greek organization fully liable for what happened. Your California College Campus Sexual Assault Lawyer is a safeguard against unfair and disrespectful treatment from opposing lawyers and school officials. Maison Law fully investigates your case and uses the evidence to demand the maximum in compensation for you and your family so you can start to heal.
Sexual Assault Risks at CSU Bakersfield
California State University (CSU) Bakersfield serves somewhere around 9,000 students every school year. College is a time for students to learn and connect. But dorm life, school activities, and Greek functions can provide opportunities for irresponsible behavior and even criminal acts.
Schools like CSU Bakersfield are legally required to do everything possible to keep students and faculty safe. They must monitor dorms like Pinyon Hall and campus buildings and event spaces, to prevent students and guests from being preyed upon through rape and sexual assault. Universities are also responsible for monitoring the activities of sororities and fraternities for behavior that could foster a dangerous environment off campus.
There are sexual assault victims who bravely step forward each year at campuses across The California State University System. Sadly, there are others who remain silent victims.
When universities fail in this duty to protect, victims are empowered to seek justice and support from the school system and from Greek organizations. Those who perpetrate such indefensible crimes will hopefully face criminal prosecution. But victims can also sue the California State University School System and a Fraternity or Sorority for their negligence that contributed to an environment that could allow a rape to occur.
CSU Bakersfield Sexual Assault in the News
Unfortunately, sex assault isn’t just a problem for colleges in bigger cities. CSU Bakersfield has been in the headlines for recent examples of frightening attacks.
KGET-TV reported that in June of 2024, a female student was in a campus bathroom when she was sexually assaulted by a masked assailant. Officials believe the suspect was a masked homeless person who may be difficult to track down. Investigators say the area was not covered by a security camera.
What’s more, the same bathroom was the scene of a sexual assault around 7 years ago. ABC23 posted details on the school acknowledging four rapes reported in 2017 at the school. All the rapes occurred in on-campus housing.
In these incidents and others, it’s not hard to imagine the steps a school like CSU Bakersfield might have taken to prevent such tragic attacks.
Is Bakersfield State Responsible After a Sexual Assault?
Yes. CSU Bakersfield can be found liable for failing to protect students after a sexual assault or rape occurs on or near campus. No amount of money can erase the physical and emotional damage a sexual assault causes, but victims should seek justice and support to have the best chance to move on with their lives.
The California State University System or a fraternity or sorority might be liable for the damaging effects of an assault if they contributed to a crime in these and other ways:
- Failure to provide guests, students, faculty, and pledges a secure environment.
- Being guilty of negligent security for not providing proper lighting and security along campus pathways and in on- and off-campus parking lots. Failing to warn students of a known increase in crime in the area.
- Failure to take action if Greek organizations or student groups are accused of permitting activity that can lead to sexual assault.
- Failure to act on reports that a student, faculty, or staff member has threatened assault or had committed assault.
- Failure in background checks and admitting a student or employee with a history of sexual assault.
A CSU Bakersfield Sexual Assault Lawyer would fully investigate a sexual assault case and gather powerful evidence to make sure the university or a Greek organization could not escape liability. Expert witnesses and police evidence would be presented to force public institutions to accept full blame and support victims.
Do Victims Have to Wait on a Criminal Investigation to File a CSU Bakersfield Sex Assault Claim?
No. Victims of rape and sexual assault can file civil claims as soon as the evidence is in place and they are ready. The criminal trial is decided separately. Victims can seek financial support through a civil claim no matter where the criminal investigation stands.
In a criminal trial, perpetrators may be found guilty and face jail time, fines, and expulsion from school. However, a civil case would focus on the financial burdens of the victim and the liability of any individual or organization that contributed to the factors that led to the assault.
The victim’s lawyer establishes a few necessary factors in the case…
- That CSU Bakersfield owed the student a “duty of care.”
- That CSU Bakersfield failed to provide that duty of care.
- That CSU Bakersfield allowed the victim to be harmed due to the failure.
- That the harm allowed by CSU Bakersfield caused damage to the victim.
These are the standard measures used in personal injury trials, but they fail to communicate the loss and trauma that victims must endure. Victims must count on their attorneys to help a judge and jury understand the magnitude of the harm sexual assault causes. Only then can a public institution receive proper punishment as victims receive the support they need to begin recovery.
What Type of Compensation Should College Sexual Assault Victims Receive?
Victims must hold Bakersfield State and The California State University system fully liable for the physical, emotional, and financial devastation a frightening attack will cause.
These are just a few of the economic damages associated with such a tragedy that could also be the responsibility of the university system:
- The costs of current medical treatment and any care expected to be necessary in the future.
- Costs for trauma therapy now and in the future.
- Costs relating to dealing with the pain experienced as a consequence of the assault.
- Potential future income loss if permanently disabled and unable to work.
- Setbacks to the educational progress of a student. Perhaps money for a victimized student to enroll at another college.
A Maison Law representative will also demand support for the emotional toll such a tragedy will take on victims.
- Support for emotional trauma suffered in a frightening attack.
- Emotional trauma involving humiliation and embarrassment.
- Support for any suicidal thoughts a victim may have.
- Support for the violation of privacy that’s occurred from a sexual assault and during an invasive investigation.
- Support for PTSD symptoms victims often must deal with for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long do I have to file a sex assault claim against CSU Bakersfield?
Victims generally have up to 10 years after the assault occurred to file a civil claim. Additionally, victims who didn’t find out immediately that they were victimized would have three years from the date they found out.
What if I can’t afford to pay a lawyer to handle my campus sex assault case?
You won’t need any upfront money to hire Maison Law. Our lawyers don’t get paid unless they win your case for you and your family. Then our fee comes out of the settlement or judgment your family is awarded.
What has CSU Bakersfield done to increase campus safety?
In a 2024 campus safety report, school officials reported adding additional surveillance cameras and panic buttons in vulnerable areas. There are now 47 Blue Light Call Stations that provide a 24-hour, button-activated, emergency telephone system. They put students in contact with emergency personnel immediately.
Contact a California State University Bakersfield Sexual Assault Attorney
The victims of college sexual assaults can feel shame and doubt about filing a claim and seeking recovery help. Maison Law safeguards victims and loved ones at such a vulnerable time.
We want to handle the frustrating negotiations with cold, faceless state universities. Our CSU Bakersfield Sexual Assault Lawyers fight for justice while victims are allowed to focus on healing.
Maison Law offers a free and confidential case consultation to all victims who suffer harm on campus, off campus, and at a Greek house.
Contact us today and let us answer your questions and go over the best options for holding a school responsible after a tragic lapse in their duty to protect.
