Los Angeles County Reaches $4 Billion Settlement for Abuse Victims

The historic agreement, involving nearly 7,000 cases, awaits final approval as the county grapples with financial challenges.

Los Angeles County has agreed to a $4 billion settlement to compensate nearly 7,000 victims of sexual abuse in youth facilities and children's homes.
The settlement was made possible by a 2020 law that loosened the statute of limitations for abuse claims, allowing thousands of victims to come forward.
The MacLaren Children’s Center was identified as a particularly egregious site of abuse, with decades of systemic failures and unchecked employee backgrounds.
The agreement is pending approval from a claims committee and a supervisory board, with decisions expected by the end of April 2025.
The financial burden of the settlement adds to the county's existing challenges, including federal budget cuts and wildfire recovery costs.