In recent years, allegations of sexual abuse against multiple equestrian trainers have surfaced, exposing the equestrian sports industry’s failure to take appropriate action. In the past, survivors attempted to come forward about their abuse but were turned away by equestrian authorities. Their reputation and influence over the careers of young equestrians protected the coaches from any repercussions for their misconduct.
At Greenberg Gross, our goal as California equestrian trainer sexual abuse attorneys is to hold perpetrators of sexual abuse accountable and to ensure the survivor’s voice is always heard. When you need a sexual abuse lawyer to handle a case against an equestrian trainer, our team is here for you.
Why Trust Greenberg Gross With Your Equestrian Trainer Sexual Abuse Case?
- Our attorneys have filed lawsuits against some of the biggest names in the equestrian industry, as well as the National Governing Bodies and related institutions that protected these perpetrators.
- Our California sexual abuse lawyers have a reputation for a willingness and ability to take sexual abuse cases to trial if necessary to ensure our clients are compensated.
- Our firm is staffed with lawyers known for representing clients in high-profile, high-stakes cases.
- Our lawyers have fought and won numerous multi-million-dollar cases for clients.
- We are led by multi-award-winning partners, including a former federal prosecutor.
- Our attorneys take sexual abuse cases in California on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we only charge legal fees after we secure the compensation that survivors of sexual abuse need.
Contact Us For A Free Legal Consultation. No Fee.
Call (833) 55-FIGHT
How Can Our California Equestrian Trainer Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help?
When going up against coaches or major institutions like the U.S. Equestrian Federation, it is crucial to have our California equestrian trainer sexual abuse attorney by your side. They can use the full resources of our law firm as well as their legal knowledge to:
- Conduct a complete investigation into the incident and obtain any evidence needed to prove liability.
- Make sure the case is filed per the statute of limitations deadlines set forth under AB 218 or other applicable laws..
- Handle all negotiations with legal teams, insurance carriers, and institutions to help reach an adequate compensation amount for the survivors.
Talk To A Trial Lawyer Who Will Seek Justice For You
Contact Us Today »
Who Is Liable for Equestrian Trainer Sexual Abuse?
In a California sexual abuse case involving equestrian trainers, there may be multiple liable parties.
The Perpetrator
First and foremost, the accused themselves are generally held responsible for their actions. Sexual abuse is an intentional tort with devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for victims. Therefore, it is essential to obtain justice so that the perpetrator is held accountable in legal proceedings.
It may not be possible in all cases to seek justice directly against the accused party. For example, if the abuser passed away, he or she cannot be held directly liable. With some equestrian sexual abuse cases dating back decades, and the advanced age demographic of many of the accused, discovering that they passed away is within the realm of possibility.
Survivors should not be discouraged. You could have the legal right and option to file a sexual abuse action against their estate. A California equestrian trainer sexual abuse lawyer from our firm can help you determine the best course of action for your unique situation.
Equestrian Riding Clubs
The riding clubs that employed the accused sexual abuser may be held to account for both their and the perpetrator’s actions. The equestrian facility may have engaged in negligent actions or willful misconduct.
Many times, a riding club is aware of accusations, confirmed sexual misconduct, and criminal history but chooses to overlook or even cover them up in favor of keeping a lauded equestrian trainer on staff. Other times, the club may fail to perform due diligence in looking into the equestrian trainer’s background.
U.S. Equestrian Federation
The equestrian sports industry has been controlled by National Governing Bodies, including the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF). The organization is responsible for setting and enforcing regulations within the industry. Many see the recurrence of sexual abuse allegations against equestrian trainers over decades as a failure of the governing body to protect riders, many of whom are young children, particularly girls.
USEF has been the target of recent lawsuits in addition to riding clubs and the sexual perpetrator.
We will investigate your case to discover all liable parties and hold them accountable for the harm they’ve done.
Repercussions for Sexually Abusive Equestrian Trainers
In the sexual abuse cases involving equestrian coaches George Morris and Jimmy Williams, survivors remained silent for years out of fear of retaliation. SafeSport, an agency created in 2017 to address sexual abuse and sports on behalf of the U.S. Olympic Committee, helped initiate change. SafeSport received several complaints regarding sexual abuse by George Morris and banned Morris from the sport for life in 2019.
Numerous other equestrian riders have been suspended, restricted, or banned from equestrian sports since 2018, many for sexual misconduct. Specifically, they “are prohibited from participating in any activities and competitions that USEF licenses, endorses, or sponsors,” according to the USEF website.
Those who have been disciplined by SafeSport are added to the organization’s Centralized Disciplinary Database and included on the USEF’S sanction list, both of which are publicly available. For many survivors, that may not be enough, understandably.
Today, more survivors are coming forward. At Greenberg Gross, our attorneys understand that when allegations of sexual abuse occur, there are likely many other survivors who have yet to come forward. We are here for them. We want to hear their stories and hold perpetrators accountable for their misconduct.
Call for a Free Consultation Today
If you or somebody you care about was sexually abused while participating in any equestrian sports activities, turn to the team at Greenberg Gross for help immediately. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling complex sexual abuse cases, and we have the resources needed to fully investigate these claims and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
When you need a California equestrian trainer sexual abuse attorney to handle cases against any equestrian coach, contact our team today.
Experienced Attorneys Who Will Listen And Fight For You
Speak To An Attorney Now »