Personal Injury Blog

Deadline to File Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim with the Bankruptcy Court Rapidly Approaching

Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. With that protection comes a deadline to file sexual abuse claims with the Bankruptcy Court. The deadline, is November 16, 2020, and is fast approaching, and victims are encouraged to file their claim now.

Simply put, failure to file before the deadline means a plaintiff may never get another chance to receive justice for the abuse they suffered as a child.

Why Are the Boy Scouts Filing for Bankruptcy?

The Boy Scouts have paid $150 million in lawsuit settlements between 2017 and 2019. By the time of the deadline, the organization may be facing nearly 1,700 lawsuits. For their part, the Boy Scouts say that bankruptcy is “the only viable option” to consolidate cases, pay victims for damages, and prevent their organization from shutting down.

The law provides this protection as a way of giving entities a so-called second chance. General Motors and United Airlines are two companies that famously used bankruptcy protection to save their operations.

That’s all great for the Boy Scouts, but what about you? If you’ve suffered abuse from a Scoutmaster or another Boy Scout staffer, you deserve justice. Contact Leonard Legal Group now for a free and private consultation to review your case.

Victims of Boy Scout Sexual Abuse

The majority of sexual abuse cases against the Boy Scouts are from at least 30 years ago. According to the Boy Scouts, that’s when the organization improved its screening process for volunteers.

The last two decades have seen 17 states pass laws extending the statute of limitations, allowing more time for sexual abuse victims to file lawsuits. Consequently, many new cases have been filed against the Boy Scouts as a result of those laws.

While the number of abuse cases has diminished, there have still been several case filings. Currently, 275 lawsuits have been brought against the Boy Scouts. And according to court documents, another 1,400 claims may be filed before the deadline.

It’s important to note that that is just the number of lawsuits – the number of victims could be much higher. That’s because many lawsuits consist of multiple victims. It’s not uncommon for one lawsuit to include over a thousand plaintiffs.

The Right NJ Boy Scout Sex Abuse Lawyer Provides Confidential Legal Help for Abuse Victims

Leonard Legal Group understands the need for compassion, empathy, and discretion in sex abuse cases. As young boys, Scouts look up to their Boy Scout leaders. They place their trust in the hands of these leaders. Oftentimes, they do not yet have the emotional maturity to question inappropriate behavior. Even if they know something wrong has occurred, it is difficult to stand up to their leaders. Sadly, many of these victims live in silence with serious mental and emotional injuries for years after the abuse occurred.

We invite you to call our firm at (973) 984-1414 or through our contact form. Rest assured, we will handle your case with the utmost discretion and respect. We’ll conduct a full investigation and collect evidence to bolster your case. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to obtain the compensation you deserve for your suffering while seeking positive change that reduces the chance of future abuse.