Los Angeles Omegle Lawsuit Lawyer

March 24, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
There's no doubt that technology has made the world a smaller place. Unfortunately, it has also created forms of abuse at the expense of the powerless, such as children. Take Omegle, a free website where strangers can connect. While the creator's intention might have been pure, the platform's lack of user safeguards has exposed children to sexual predators of all ages. If your child was abused on Omegle in any way, you may be able to sue the company for negligence. Filing a case can be intimidating, but the process should be smoother and easier with a Los Angeles Omegle lawsuit attorney.

What Is Omegle?

Omegle is a text and video chat platform founded in 2009 to connect strangers in anonymous chatrooms. The idea is for people to meet quickly, so an extremely lax sign-up process doesn't even ask for an email address. As soon as you're there, you can click "Talk to Strangers" and start connecting. When you want to stop, you then click the “Stop” button. The Omegle website was created over 10 years ago, but its patronage exploded during the pandemic alongside the rise of TikTok. Omegle grew globally by almost 100% in a year, from only 34 million monthly visits in January 2020 to 65 million by January 2021. Researchers found that Omegle-tagged TikTok videos were watched at least 9 billion times by users across the globe. 

What Is the Problem with Omegle?

Omegle has roused public attention for several reasons, the most obvious being the platform's lack of a user verification system. Anyone of any age can join, despite the site indicating a minimum age requirement of 18. Another issue is the website's randomized matching process, making it easy for pedophiles and other sexual predators to connect with under age users. Site users are left to fend for their own safety when interacting with others.  No system allows you to flag, report, or block improper or dangerous engagements. If you feel violated for any reason while using the site, they advise you to terminate the interaction. And while the platform offers regulated chat rooms for more conservative users, the company claims its moderation processes are not infallible.  Omegle insists it wasn't meant to be a sexual platform, yet it has maintained a substantial amount of sexual content, such as porn ads. To plug the safety gaps left by their alarmingly lenient user policies, the platform offers various rooms claiming that some are more suitable for those with adult interests.

How does Omegle Impact Children?

Once you know how Omegle works, it's easy to see how vulnerable children are while using the site. It's a place where they're easily exposed and corrupted by adult content. Internet watchdogs have called out the company for reports of its users distributing Omegle footage of children engaged in sexual acts. Instead of tracking down and banning abusive users, the company has only issued a warning on its homepage about the predatory practices of some users. Thankfully, web security experts have been amping up their campaign to raise parents' and kids' awareness of the risks that come with using this platform.

How Is the Omegle Problem Being Addressed?

Law enforcers and certain groups continue to take steps in educating themselves about websites like Omegle. Thanks to their increased knowledge and experience, cybercriminals are now being arrested and held responsible for their actions. Since the law has long-existing safeguards that let you seek compensation for your child's physical and emotional injuries, you can file a lawsuit against the abuser and make them accountable for your damages.

What Is Marsy's Law?

One of the more crucial laws that allow you to seek damages for your abused child is known as Marsy's Law. The main objective of this law is to eliminate or reduce all stumbling blocks to a victim's financial compensation. To file a successful claim, you must prove that the accused had involved the child in pornographic activities, resulting in personal injury. This law allows the abused to claim damages from the abuser. Note that victims are bound by a statute of limitations, which varies from one state to another. A statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing your case, after which you will lose that right altogether. Some states will give you up to ten years after discovering you were violated or ten years after the victim's 18th birthday to file a claim. In any case, your Omegle lawsuit lawyer will be able to explain this in detail.

A Lawyer Can Help Your Omegle Lawsuit

If your child was abused or in any way violated on the Omegle website, you can sue the company for its negligence. Hiring an Omegle lawsuit lawyer can help you build a more solid case against Omegle. An attorney will know each viable path and can give you professional advice regarding what steps to take in creating a successful claim.  Get help from a Los Angeles Omegle lawsuit lawyer at The Dolman Law Group. We will be happy to take on this journey with you, visit our website to arrange a free no-obligation consultation.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has represented over 11,000 injury victims and has served as lead counsel in over 1000 lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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