Nov. 16 Is the Deadline for Most Claims Unless Your State Has a “Look Back” Law
Survivors of Boy Scout sexual abuse have limited time to file claims. The deadline to file a Boy Scout sexual abuse claim is Nov. 16, 2020, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Missing this deadline can bar child sexual abuse survivors from seeking compensation from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
To find out about a potential claim and avoid letting your chance for justice slip away, contact a Boy Scout sexual abuse lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm.
Now’s the time to get answers and take action to hold the BSA accountable for the abuse you or a loved one survived. Don’t let time run out on your claim.
Call (713) 352-7975 or Email Us
For a Free, Confidential Consultation
No matter how long ago the abuse occurred—and no matter what affiliation your abuser had with the BSA—you may have a case. We are ready to help you get your Boy Scout sexual abuse claim started so you can get on the path to justice and recovery.
Why Are There Deadlines to File Boy Scout Sex Abuse Cases?
The claim deadline was set in May 2020 by Judge Laurie Silverstein as part of the ongoing BSA bankruptcy case, Boy Scouts of America and Delaware BSA, LLC (Case No. 20-10343).
On February 18, 2020, the BSA initiated this case, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The move was an effort to seek relief from the overwhelming debt the organization faced due to mounting sexual abuse lawsuits. More than 275 lawsuits had been filed against the BSA in state and federal courts by February 2020.
As part of its bankruptcy case, the BSA is restructuring the national organization and devising a plan to repay its unsecured debts, most of which come from survivors’ claims.
According to the BSA, the deadline for claims is important to helping the BSA achieve its goal of compensating victims. Elaborating on this, the organization’s National Chair stated the following in an open letter to survivors:
The national organization of the Boy Scouts of America has initiated a voluntary financial restructuring to ensure we can equitably compensate all victims of past abuse in our programs, through a proposed Victim’s Compensation Trust.
I encourage you, and all victims to come forward and file claims so you can receive compensation from this Trust… I want you to know that we believe you, we believe in compensating you, and we have programs in place to pay for counseling for you and your family by a provider of your choice.
– Jim Turley, National Chair, Boy Scouts of America
Despite the sentiment, the BSA had originally requested a much earlier deadline for Boy Scout sex abuse cases. In fact, the organization initiated and pushed for an 80-day window (less than three months), rather than the 6-month timeframe ultimately granted.
BSA Also Required to Advertise Claim Deadline, Encourage Survivors to File Claims
Establishing a deadline for Boy Scout sex abuse claims was just one of Judge Silverstein’s orders in May 2020. At that time, she also required the BSA to run mail, TV, print, and email campaigns, totaling close to $7 million, to announce the claim deadline and encourage victims to come forward.
Here the court-approved BSA sex abuse claim announcement, and here is the official BSA website, which publishes case documents and updates, along with forms and more.
What States Have Extended Deadlines to File Boy Scout Sex Abuse Claims?
Eight states and the District of Columbia have laws extending the window for filing Boy Scout sexual abuse claims beyond the November deadline. Along with Washington, D.C., the states with extended deadlines for Boy Scout sexual abuse claims include:
- New Jersey
- New York
- California
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Vermont
- Montana
- Hawaii
Effectively, survivors filing claims in these states will have longer than Nov. 16, 2020, to file a claim. In most cases:
- The extension will delay the deadline by months: Most extended deadlines allow claims well into 2021 (or beyond).
- The sooner a claim is filed, the better: Even if a deadline is extended, waiting to file a claim can create more challenges down the road. By working with an experienced lawyer to promptly file a claim, there will be more time and opportunity to investigate and strengthen a claim. That can impact the success of a case and the recoveries secured.
Get Answers About a Claim: Contact a Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Our Boy Scout sexual abuse lawyers are ready to listen, share advice, and explain your options for moving forward. Whether you or a loved one has survived abuse committed by a troop leader, a volunteer, or anyone affiliated with the BSA, we can help you navigate the steps ahead while we tirelessly strive to obtain the justice, recovery, and resolutions you may deserve.
Call (713) 352-7975 or Email Us
For a Free, Confidential Consultation
At the Amaro Law Firm, we know nothing can erase the profound damage caused by child sexual abuse. We also know that financial recoveries can offer some justice while helping victims focus on healing.