If you are a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a Boy Scout leader, volunteer, or employee, now is the time to speak with an attorney about what happened to you. It does not matter how long ago the abuse occurred, what state you lived in at the time the abuse occurred, or where you live now, you may be eligible for monetary compensation.
Earlier this year in February the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy because they feared the number of lawsuits they were facing from individuals alleging sexual abuse would put them out of business.
Bankruptcy Pauses Cases, But Not For Long
No cases can be filed against the organization while their bankruptcy is pending because the bankruptcy law puts all those on hold. The bankruptcy court will help the BSA set aside a pot of money called a bankruptcy trust to settle all current and potential lawsuits against it, and specify how victims like you can tap into that money.
Such a process has occurred when other institutions have filed for bankruptcy, including USA Gymnastics. We have also seen it play out when various Roman Catholic dioceses have filed for bankruptcy in the wake of sexual abuse cases coming to light.
What Is A “Bar Date?”
Once the BSA’s sexual abuse bankruptcy trust is set up, you will likely hear the phrase “bar date.”
The bar date is the date before which any victim of sexual abuse by a Boy Scout leader must come forward if they want to be considered for compensation. If you do not file a claim against the bankruptcy trust before the bar date, you will lose your ability to seek compensation in any other way.
When the bankruptcy court sets a bar date, it will apply to those Boy Scout victims who filed lawsuits before the Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy on February 18, 2020, as well as those who had not yet come forward. As we mentioned above, it does not matter how long ago the abuse occurred, what state a victim lived in at the time the abuse occurred, or where the victim lives now.
Don’t Wait, Contact Attorney Paul Mones Today
If you think you may be eligible for compensation, it is critical that you prepare to file a claim as soon as possible. Attorney Paul Mones or one of the other attorneys on our team would be happy to talk with you about your case. Please contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.