Sexual Molestation Cases

• Author: Larry Booth/Roger Booth
• Pages: 483-504

15-1 (Rev. 2, 11/13)

Chapter 15

SEXUAL MOLESTATION

CASES

I. ELEMENTS OF CAUSE OF ACTION AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

A. Theories of Recovery

§15:01 Overview of Child Molestation Cases

§15:02 Defendants

§15:03 Theories of Recovery

§15:04 Vicarious Liability

§15:05 Employer’s Negligent Hiring and Retention

§15:06 Employer’s Negligent Supervision

§15:07 Employer’s Failure to Respond to Red Flags

§15:08 Employer’s Violation of Criminal Reporting Statute

B. Defenses and Defense Strategies

§15:10 Statutes of Limitations

§15:11 Vicarious Liability

§15:12 Negligence, Forseeability and Causation

II. INTERVIEW AND INVESTIGATION

§15:20 Interview of Victim

§15:21 Investigating Victim’s Credibility

§15:22 Assessing Causation and Damages

§15:23 Other Avenues of Investigation Checklist

§15:24 Impact of Criminal Case

§15:25 Retain Appropriate Experts

III. PLEADINGS

§15:30 Form: Complaint; Sexual Battery, Emotional Distress, Etc.

Personal Injury Handbook 15-2

IV. WRITTEN DISCOVERY

A. Production Requests

§15:40 Personnel Records

§15:41 Prior Claims of Sexual Abuse Involving the Same Employer

§15:42 Changes in Defendant’s Policies and Procedures

§15:43 Form: Requests for Production; Sexual Molestation

B. Interrogatories

§15:50 Goals

§15:51 Form: Interrogatories to All Defendants to Identify Potential Deponents; Sexual

Molestation

§15:52 Form: Interrogatories to All Defendants on Insurance Coverage

§15:53 Form: Interrogatories to Employer or Principal to Obtain Information on Prior

Claims; Sexual Molestation

V. DEPOSITIONS

A. Plaintiff’s Depositions

§15:70 Deposition of Molester

§15:71 Depositions of Supervisors

§15:72 Depositions of Defense Experts

B. Preparation for Defense Depositions

§15:80 Plaintiff’s Deposition

§15:81 Depositions of Plaintiff’s Experts

VI. MOTIONS

§15:90 Motion to Obtain Molester’s Personnel File

§15:91 Motion to Obtain Records of Conduct of Other Employees

§15:92 Motion to Obtain Records of Prior Settlements or Verdicts

VII. SETTLEMENT STRATEGIES

§15:100 Coverage Issues and Delay

§15:101 Wide Divergence of Opinion on Value

VIII. TRIAL PREPARATION

A. Jury Selection

§15:110 Form: Voir Dire Questions

§15:111 Jurors to Avoid

B. Opening Statement

§15:120 Goals and Content

C. Testimony of Plaintiff’s Witnesses

§15:130 Order of Proof

§15:131 Present Psychiatric Testimony Early

§15:132 Major Use of Family and Friends as Witnesses