The Carlson Law Firm’s Los Angeles office is investigating sexual assault and abuse claims against George Harris Jr., a former water polo coach, and several schools he worked for. If you were on the water polo, swim, or other aquatic sports teams at any of the following schools between 1980-2009, or were otherwise abused by staff at these schools, call us for a free and confidential consultation:
A growing number of male students allege they were sexually abused, harassed, and molested by George Harris Jr.
Harris used his position of trust and authority to repeatedly sexually harass and abuse his students for nearly 30 years
The lawsuit further alleges that El Segundo Unified School District and USC deliberately concealed Harris’ sexual abuse of students for decades.
It goes on that the school district allowed virtually unlimited access to young vulnerable students in an effort to protect its reputation and reduce liability. In other words, the district protected itself at the expense of minor children who were repeatedly victimized by Harris.
As noted above, El Segundo had a duty to report its knowledge of the abuse to the following:
Any failure to do so was a breach of this duty.
The Carlson Law Firm’s Los Angeles office is investigating sexual assault and abuse claims against George Harris Jr., a former water polo coach, and several schools he worked for in the El Segundo Unified School District in California for nearly 30 years. Attorney Ruth Rizkalla of The Carlson Law Firm stated, “Being both a mother of school-aged children and an attorney who has fought for those harmed, I am outraged by the actions and inactions of the defendants in this case and am compelled to seek justice for my clients.” Additional allegations claim Harris also abused students at the University of Southern California (USC) while he worked there from 1979 to 2008.
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If you were the victim of sexual abuse by George Harris Jr. or witnessed Harris Jr.’s abuse of young athletes and students, we want to hear from you. Schedule a free consultation with us at 800-359-5690.
Schools allowed George Harris Jr. free reign on students for decades. This is your opportunity to legally hold everyone involved accountable for all of the ways they've failed you.
Successful lawsuits can lead to systemic changes in institutions, policies, and practices, helping to prevent future abuse and protect others.
The legal process, though challenging, can be a part of the healing journey, offering a sense of closure and the ability to move forward.
Several students, who were underage at the time, have come forward with information about alleged sexual abuse ranging from grooming, showing students porn, inappropriate discussions of sex, sexual advances, touching, and other abuses.
Harris had access to high school students since at least 1974, when he was hired to coach at Chaffey High School in Ontario, California. In 1978, he was named Chaffey coach of the year. In 1981, Harris began teaching social studies at El Segundo High School and, in 1984, began coaching water polo for the school.
The currently reported dates of Harris’s misconduct range from his early years with the El Segundo Unified School District in the mid-1980s to as recently as the late 2000s. The full scope of his activity is currently under investigation.
Harris began coaching water polo at USC in 1979 until at least 1990. In 2007, he was the press box announcer at USC.
It does not matter if you were underage or a young adult when you experienced sexual harassment or abuse; you may have a claim. Coaches, teachers, professors, or other school staff should never pursue sexual relationships with students. If you were on the water polo team at USC during Harris’s tenure and fell prey to his advances, we may be able to assist.
Title IX protects students from sexual predators on high school and college campuses. As such, schools must protect students from predators. Students say that Harris’s perversion was well-known among students and staff. This potentially implicates El Segundo High School, USC, Arena Continuation, and Chaffey High School for failing to protect students by reporting Harris’s behavior and removing him from his position. Additionally, California recognizes that schools hold a special relationship with students that requires them to protect against sexual abuse. This duty to protect may allow former students to recover damages from the above schools for their failure to adequately supervise Harris. It’s not too late to pursue a claim against Harris and the institutions that allowed him access to his victims. No matter how long ago you were a student under Harris, we want to talk to you. Schedule a free, confidential consultation by calling us at 866-543-6852 or filling out a form.
Hiring The Carlson Law Firm for Your Sexual Abuse Lawsuit against George Harris Jr. and one of the schools can be incredibly beneficial for survivors seeking justice and compensation. Our team has significant experience and can ensure the following:
A skilled attorney can navigate the legal system, ensure your privacy, and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve, allowing you to focus on your healing journey.
The process involves an initial consultation, filing a complaint, the discovery phase (gathering and exchanging evidence), possible settlement negotiations, and potentially a trial. Throughout this process, your attorney will guide you and advocate for your interests.
Generally speaking, in California, the statutes of limitations for filing Sexual Abuse Lawsuits have been extended significantly. Survivors can file a lawsuit within three years of discovering the abuse and its impact, regardless of when the abuse occurred. Additionally, a new law provides a three-year window (starting January 1, 2020) for survivors of any age to file claims that were previously barred by the statute of limitations. Consult with a lawyer to understand how these rules apply to your specific case.
Compensation can cover medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. The goal is to address both the financial impact and emotional trauma caused by the abuse.
If you were a student at any of the schools listed above and answered yes to any of the following, contact The Carlson Law Firm to discuss your legal rights:
Under no circumstances is the above behavior appropriate by someone in a position of authority over young high school or college students. We can help you get the justice you deserve.
Sexual assault and abuse can take a toll on victims. The abuse can lead to ongoing mental health trauma that can sometimes lead to physical expressions such as addiction or self-harm. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Our firm’s Los Angeles office is in Manhattan Beach and has been involved in previous sexual assault cases, including those brought against the Boy Scouts of America. Our Southern California native attorneys lead a compassionate legal team that will treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve. We can help you identify all responsible parties and hold them accountable for the harm you suffered. Our hard-hitting attorneys are the legal advocates you need.
We care. We can help.
As seen in Los Angeles news, Ruth Rizkalla and her team of California lawyers are helping those whom Harris victimized. Rizkalla has a long career of holding negligent corporations and people accountable when they’ve wronged others. Consultations with The Carlson Law Firm are free and confidential. Victims deserve compensation for the years of pain and suffering they have endured at the hands of George Harris Jr. and the schools that allowed him free reign and access to vulnerable minors.
With over a dozen locations throughout Texas, there’s a Carlson Law Firm near you. We have law offices located in Killeen, Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, Bryan, Lubbock, Midland, and Corpus Christi.
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St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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100 E. Central Texas Expy
Killeen, TX 76541
(254) 526-5688
11606 N. I-35
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 346-5688
135 W. Slaughter Ln, Ste A
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 804-7277
6243 I-10 #550
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 696-8600
618 SW Military Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78221
(210) 923-7700
1109 W. Baker Road, Ste A
Baytown, TX 77521
(832) 806-6155
1121 Briarcrest Drive, Ste 200
Bryan, TX 77802
(979) 260-5688
653 Everhart Rd, Ste 105
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
(361) 336-3317
301 Junction Highway, Ste 100
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-7575
5112 McPherson, Ste 106
Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 712-2588
10101 Quaker Ave
Lubbock, TX 79424
(806) 401-0500
900 Lp 250 Frontage Rd b
Midland, TX 79705
(432) 247-6611
559 S I-35 Frontage Rd Ste 250,
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 671-7277
4282 S Jackson St.
San angelo, TX 76903
(325) 238-4322
2010 SW H K Dodgen Loop, Ste 201
Temple TX 76504
(254) 771-5688
2420 I-35 South
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 772-5653
2909 Garnett Ave
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 285-6333
1500 Rosecrans Ave Ste 500
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(254) 516-3570
333 33rd Ave N Ste 220
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 373-4655
