In an earlier post, our Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawyer noted that victims of sexual abuse by Boy Scouts of America (BSA) staff members or adult volunteers (scoutmasters and counselors) have until November 16th of this year to file a claim with the court hearing the BSA’sChapter 11 bankruptcy petition. In today’s post, the Boy Scout sexual abuse victim lawyer at The Doan Law Firm will answer some of the more frequently asked questions regarding these claims.
Who is eligible to file a sexual abuse claim against the Boy Scouts of America?
Anyone who was sexually abused by an adult BSA staff member or by a BSA volunteer is eligible to file a claim. Specifically, you should file a sexual abuse claim if you have:
- Previously filed a lawsuit or claim against the Boy Scouts of America
- Called the Scouts First Helpline to report a potential case of abuse
- Were sexually abused but never filed a lawsuit against the BSA, entered a settlement with the BSA or one of its insurance companies, or reported your abuse to the BSA
- Were a victim of sexual abuse, even if your claim normally would have been barred under your state’s statutes of limitations
What if my abuse happened a long time ago?
In the eyes of the law, when your abuse occurred is less important than the fact that you were abused. Even if you think your case would be “too old,” you should still file a claim because your state may extend its statutes of limitations to allow sexual abuse lawsuits years after the abuse occurred.
Will my personal information be made public if I file a BSA sexual abuse claim?
No. Any personal information required to file a claim will be kept confidential by the court and shared only with lawyers and mediators recognized by the court as working to settle your claim.
Is there a time limit on filing a BSA sexual abuse claim?
Yes! Because the BSA filed for “reorganization” under Chapter 11, the bankruptcy court has imposed a deadline of November 16, 2020. Any claim filed after that day will be rejected and you will be barred from filing a BSA sexual abuse claim in the future.
How long does it take to settle a BSA sexual abuse claim?
Depending on the number of claims filed with the bankruptcy court, settlement time on your claim could vary from several months to several years, As a general rule, claims are settled on a “first come first served” basis, so it is to your advantage to file your claim as soon as possible to avoid the court-imposed deadline.
Will I need a lawyer to file a BSA sexual abuse claim?
In theory, no. You could download the necessary forms and other paperwork from the court’s website, fill them out yourself, submit everything, and wait for a reply. This is exactly what lawyers working for the BSA and its insurance carriers want you to do because their job is to limit the amount of money they have to pay out to settle your claim! In addition, since the BSA bankruptcy involves many complex legal issues that could affect your right to compensation, filing a claim without hiring an experienced sexual abuse lawyer will probably mean that you will receive a less-than-fair settlement.
If you were a victim of BSA sexual abuse, we encourage you to contact the BSA sexual abuse lawyer at The Doan Law Firm, a national law practice with offices located across the country, to arrange a free, no obligation, review of your case and a discussion of the legal options that may be available to insure that you receive all the compensation you are legally entitled to claim.
When you contact our firm, your case is personally reviewed by our BSA sexual abuse lawyer who will speak directly with you to go over your case and help you decide what your next steps should be. Should you decide that a lawsuit is in your best interest and that you would like for us to represent you in court, we are willing to assume full responsibility for all aspects of preparing your BSA sexual abuse case for trial in exchange for a percentage of the final settlement we are prepared to win for you.
Remember, your Boy Scouts sexual abuse claim must be filed by November 16, 2020!