Skip to content

Press

Karns & Karns Fighting for Survivors of Alameda County’s ‘Hands-Off’ Foster Care Abuse

Home » Press » Karns & Karns Fighting for Survivors of Alameda County’s ‘Hands-Off’ Foster Care Abuse

Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys is currently representing survivors and families affected by the institutional failures detailed in the legal action City of Hayward, et al. v. County of Alameda, et al. (Case No. 23CV036574). The litigation focuses on a “hands-off” security policy within the Alameda County foster care system that reportedly left children and young adults (up to age 21) unprotected from predators.

The “Hands-Off” Policy: A Failure to Protect
According to court records in Case No. 23CV036574, the County removed Sheriff’s deputies from its assessment centers and replaced them with private security. These guards were allegedly instructed not to physically intervene when children were at risk of leaving the facility with unauthorized adults.

Read Full Article

This policy allegedly prohibited staff at foster care facilities from physically stopping youth from leaving with unauthorized adults. According to the litigation in Case No. 23CV036574, this protocol created a security vacuum that predators used to exploit vulnerable children. Karns & Karns is representing survivors who were impacted by these systemic safety failures.

Our specialized unit is led by trial attorneys Darryl Meigs and Mia Hong. Darryl provides trauma-informed advocacy, while Mia uses her experience as a former insurance defense lawyer to hold government carriers accountable. They handle all foster care abuse claims in-house to ensure direct, expert representation.

No. Under the Karns & Karns No-Fee Guarantee, we advance all litigation expenses. Families and survivors pay zero upfront costs. Our firm only receives a fee if we successfully win your case through a settlement or jury verdict. If there is no recovery, you do not owe us anything.

What is the "Hands-Off" policy in the Alameda County foster care lawsuits?

This policy allegedly prohibited staff at foster care facilities from physically stopping youth from leaving with unauthorized adults. According to the litigation in Case No. 23CV036574, this protocol created a security vacuum that predators used to exploit vulnerable children. Karns & Karns is representing survivors who were impacted by these systemic safety failures.

Who is on the legal team for Alameda County abuse cases?

Our specialized unit is led by trial attorneys Darryl Meigs and Mia Hong. Darryl provides trauma-informed advocacy, while Mia uses her experience as a former insurance defense lawyer to hold government carriers accountable. They handle all foster care abuse claims in-house to ensure direct, expert representation.

Is there a fee to join the legal action against Alameda County?

No. Under the Karns & Karns No-Fee Guarantee, we advance all litigation expenses. Families and survivors pay zero upfront costs. Our firm only receives a fee if we successfully win your case through a settlement or jury verdict. If there is no recovery, you do not owe us anything.