Florida’s Landmark $10M Verdict Won by Louis Berk Law Firm Against Child Predator and Soccer Organizations

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida. — A landmark $10 million verdict has been finalized against multiple soccer organizations in Osceola County, underscoring the grave consequences of negligent hiring practices. The case centers on the failure to properly vet an employee, ultimately exposing children to a convicted predator.

In 2019, Hugo Daniel Jimenez-Rumbos was accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old boy, an offense he admitted to before receiving a five-year prison sentence. Louis Berk Law firm successfully secured this significant $10,000,000 verdict on behalf of their client, emphasizing the critical need to protect children from negligent organizations and dangerous individuals.

“Protecting children should be a non-negotiable priority for all organizations. We stand ready to hold them accountable when that responsibility is ignored.”

— Louis Berk, Lead Attorney at Louis Berk Law

The lawsuit targeted My Soccer Academy, Inc., Celta Soccer LLC, and Jimenez-Rumbos, revealing stark oversights such as failing to run an adequate background check and neglecting to verify whether Jimenez-Rumbos possessed a valid work visa. During the trial, evidence surfaced of Jimenez-Rumbos’s disturbing history of sexual abuse and aggressive behavior, rendering him entirely unfit to be left alone with minors.

The jury’s decision found both soccer organizations responsible for Negligent Hiring and Retention, assigning accountability not only to the perpetrator but also to the organizations that allowed a known threat to oversee children’s activities.

A Surge in Child Predator Cases Across the US in 2024

This pivotal verdict comes against a backdrop of growing concern over the escalating number of child predators across the United States in 2024. Law enforcement agencies and child advocacy groups report an uptick in cases involving sexual offenses against minors, exacerbated by the increased use of digital platforms that can provide easier access to potential victims.

Many child predators exploit online anonymity to groom and manipulate minors before ever coming into physical contact. Coupled with gaps in hiring procedures and inadequate oversight within some youth-focused organizations, these vulnerabilities can lead to devastating outcomes. Experts stress that robust background checks, comprehensive training, and continuous monitoring are essential to thwarting individuals who threaten children’s safety.

The recent $10 million verdict sends a powerful message to organizations nationwide: neglecting the duty to protect minors will carry severe legal and moral repercussions. By holding negligent parties accountable, society reinforces its collective commitment to safeguarding children, whether they’re in schools, sports programs, or any setting that requires responsible adult supervision.