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Los Angeles County announced Friday that it has tentatively agreed to pay an additional $828 million to resolve 415 new cases alleging childhood sexual abuse in county facilities, building on the $4 billion settlement unveiled earlier this year — the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history.

If approved by the Los Angeles County Claims Board and the Board of Supervisors, the new deal would push the county’s total payouts in these cases to over $4.8 billion, covering claims brought under California Assembly Bill 218 (A.B. 218) — a 2020 law that temporarily extended the statute of limitations for survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil claims.

Scope of the Settlement

According to the county’s Friday statement, the new agreement will cover claims against the Department of Children and Family Services and the Probation Department. The 415 cases involve alleged abuse in juvenile detention centers and the now-shuttered MacLaren Children’s Center foster care facility.

Each claimant will receive an award determined by an independent allocator, with compensation based on factors such as severity and credibility of the alleged abuse.

“The credibility of every individual claim will be reviewed,” the county said. “Plaintiffs determined to have submitted fraudulent claims will receive no money from the settlement.”

Fraud Safeguards Tightened Amid Ongoing Probe

The announcement comes as the county continues to investigate fraud allegations surrounding the earlier $4 billion settlement, following a Los Angeles Times report that the Downtown L.A. Law Group allegedly paid individuals to file false abuse claims. On October 7, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to launch an independent investigation into the matter.

Board Chair Kathryn Barger said the county has strengthened its fraud prevention protocols to ensure funds go only to legitimate victims.

“Our settlements balance our obligation to compensate victims and treat their experiences with compassion with the need to protect taxpayers from fraud,” Barger said. “The system created by A.B. 218 is inherently vulnerable to fraud, but the county established protections from the beginning and has now strengthened them.”

Under the new procedures, each claimant must submit a multi-page, sworn statement under penalty of perjury detailing the alleged misconduct and its impact. Cases flagged for potential fraud will undergo independent review by retired judges, and any claims handled by Downtown L.A. Law Group will face additional scrutiny, which could include interviews and requests for corroborating evidence.

The county also said it will refer any attorneys suspected of client solicitation through payments to the California State Bar for potential disciplinary action.

Financial Strain and Remaining Claims

Despite the settlements, Los Angeles County still faces roughly 2,500 pending cases, with officials warning that the number could continue to rise and create “extreme challenges” for the county’s budget without legislative reforms.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Joe Nicchitta said the wave of claims under A.B. 218 has imposed “severe financial stresses” on the county, forcing cutbacks in essential services.

“L.A. County and other local governments must balance their obligations to past victims with the need to avoid ruinous financial impacts that would undermine the very social safety net services our young people and families depend on today,” Nicchitta said.

Broader Context

Enacted in 2020, A.B. 218 opened a three-year window for survivors of child sexual abuse to pursue otherwise time-barred claims, resulting in a surge of lawsuits against institutions across California — including school districts, foster care programs, and Catholic dioceses.

The bulk of the L.A. County claims involve abuse allegations from the 1980s through the 2000s, primarily connected to juvenile detention facilities and foster care programs.

The proposed $828 million agreement now awaits formal approval from county officials.