The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election have swept stories about the horrific sexual abuse endured by Boy Scouts off the front page. This is understandable, but also concerning. Former scouts who were sexually abused have only until 5 p.m. Eastern on November 16, 2020, to file a claim against the Boy Scouts of America. After that, most survivors of abuse will be barred from seeking compensation.
Why Is November 16, 2020 Important?
On February 18, 2020 the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One of the reasons the BSA did so was to protect itself from all of the lawsuits it was facing from survivors of sexual abuse.
When an organization files for bankruptcy, all the legal claims against it are put on hold. This includes both pending claims and potential claims. The bankruptcy court then works with the bankrupt entity (the debtor) to set aside a pot of money for settling all the claims of abuse victims. In exchange for making financial compensation to victims, the organization gets to come out of bankruptcy and function in the future without being encumbered by past allegations.
When the Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy, organization leaders knew they were going to have to compensate sexual abuse survivors. The bankruptcy court has set the November 16, 2020 deadline for survivors to come forward. At that time the universe of victim/creditors will be known.
After November 16, 2020, survivors of abuse will be barred from seeking compensation. Now is the time to act if a BSA abuse survivor wants to hold the BSA accountable and get compensation for the abuse you endured.
Filing A Claim
Even though November 16 is a few weeks away, it is critically important to start the claims process as soon as possible. The claim form – 12 pages long – can, for sexual abuse victims, be mentally difficult to answer the questions asked, which makes it tempting to delay filing. Waiting too long may mean you miss your opportunity to seek justice.
Our team can provide the guidance and support you need to fill out the claims form and move forward with your life. Attorney Paul Mones has been helping childhood sexual abuse survivors seek justice for the past 35 years. Unlike many attorneys who are now flooding the airways with slick, aggressive advertisements about BSA abuse, Paul has been representing former Scouts for over 15 years. He and his experienced team have already helped hundreds of Boy Scout abuse survivors fill out the current claims form, and they are ready to work one-on-one with you to make sure you also have the opportunity to file for compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free meeting to discuss your options.