The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States. It has about 2.3 million youth participants and about one million adult volunteers. The BSA was founded in 1910. Since then, about 110 million Americans have participated in BSA programs at some time. Despite being a national organization with an international reputation, the BSA has been a home for pedophiles filled with rampant sexual abuse destroying the lives of thousands of children. Call us to discuss compensation if you or your child was the victim of boy scout sex abuse.
The Boy Scouts of America believed that thousands of its former leaders and volunteers were involved in sexually abusing children over the course of more than 70 years. The organization has long known the problem within its organization. The Boy Scouts kept files on specific scout leaders and volunteers. They maintained a list of hundreds of people affiliated with the organization that had faced allegations of sexually abusing the children whose families paid for them to participate in activities. Although the “perversion files” are by no means all-inclusive. The mere existence of the files illustrates a pattern of evil, crime, and abuse within the organization. That led to children being repeatedly victimized over decades.
If you think you may be a victim of BSA’s negligence because you were sexually abused, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical costs and other results of your abuse. Take the quiz below to find out if you qualify instantly.
Boy Scouts of America Files for Bankruptcy
In February 2020, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware court. The youth organization, which claims about 2.2 million members between the ages of 5 and 21, listed liabilities between $100 million and $400 million and assets of $1 billion to $10 billion.
The bankruptcy filing came as the organization faced hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits. BSA, which paid over $150 million to resolve sexual abuse claims between 2017-2019, filed for bankruptcy to seek relief from the sexual abuse lawsuits filed against it after the statute of limitations reform in several states, including New York, New Jersey, and California.
Hiring the experienced sexual abuse lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP will give you a chance to regain peace in your life after going through such a devastating incident. Our skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate attorneys understand the ins-and-outs of sexual abuse cases and related laws. Knowing our firm is looking after your best interests will give you peace of mind.
To learn more about how we can help with your BSA sexual abuse claim, call now at 212-779-0057 to set up a free and confidential consultation.
What does it mean that BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy?
By filing for bankruptcy, all lawsuits against the Boy Scouts are “stayed” (paused), and a bankruptcy judge is assigned to oversee all claims against them. Generally, the bankruptcy judge is responsible for determining the Boy Scouts’ available assets to compensate abuse survivors, including cash, property, and insurance, and then deciding a fair way to use those assets to compensate abuse survivors.
Under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the BSA must pursue the best interest of its creditors, which are the sexual abuse survivors coming forward with disturbing stories of what occurred when they were children with the Scouts. The BSA has proposed the creation of a victims’ compensation fund. According to the bankruptcy filing, the fund, established by the courts, will use assets from the BSA. All pending and future claims will be directed to the trust for payment.
Victims of Boy Scout sex abuse should file a claim against BSA.
Abuse survivors have until 5 p.m. November 16, 2020, to file a claim against the Boy Scouts of America to be eligible for compensation through the organization’s bankruptcy proceedings. If you have experienced abuse as a member of the Boy Scouts, keep the following in mind:
Anyone who has experienced abuse within BSA should file a claim before the deadline, regardless of the type of abuse or when it happened. Those who are advised to file a claim include, but are not limited to, survivors who have:
Filed lawsuits or claims against BSA.
Called the Scout's First Hotline or reported a claim of abuse.
Never filed a lawsuit, entered a settlement, or reported abuse.
Received settlement agreements but believe they have additional claims against BSA.
Suffered abuse, even if the claim is barred under statutes of limitations.
After the Nov. 16 deadline has passed, scouting abuse survivors may no longer get to hold the BSA accountable. Please note that the BSA bankruptcy does not cover any claim you may have against other entities who may be liable for the abuse you suffered. This includes the local Boy Scout councils and any organization that sponsored your Troop. You need to take separate action to protect your rights as to those entities and take action before the statute of limitations expires.
What will filing a lawsuit do?
You may be wondering what suing the Boy Scouts accomplishes. Filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against the BSA will:
Help you in your recovery by giving you a sense of closure
Hold BSA accountable for their negligence in failing to protect you
Help prevent future abuse
You have the right to seek compensation from any person or organization that was complicit in abusing you or your child. Given that these abuses went on for decades, it is not unreasonable to believe that BSA fostered an environment of sexual abuse. Unfortunately, they were aware of the abuse and failed to do anything to protect members.
Contact Us If You or Your Child Was The Victim of Boy Scout Sex Abuse
If you or someone you love may have a claim against the Boy Scouts, the time to act is now. Contact Hach & Rose, LLP at 212-779-0057 to learn your legal options and to ensure your legal rights are protected. You deserve justice. Hach & Rose, LLP offers free and confidential consultations.
Because the time to file a Boy Scouts sexual abuse claim is limited. It’s critical that you speak with one of our experienced and compassionate Boy Scouts sexual abuse attorneys as soon as possible to ensure your voice is heard.