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The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) faced a significant legal challenge due to allegations of childhood sexual abuse within the organization. Thousands of individuals came forward, revealing their harrowing experiences of abuse while they were members of the Boy Scouts. In response to these allegations, a trust was established to compensate survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
An important reminder for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts: The deadline for the submission of Matrix claims questionnaires is midnight EDT on Friday, May 31, 2024. They do not intend to extend the deadline beyond May 31, so all claim questionnaires must be submitted by this final deadline. Remember, claims questionnaires are reviewed on a first-in basis.
Today marks an important milestone for the Scouting Settlement Trust (the “Trust”). Exactly one year ago, the Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”) plan of reorganization became effective, allowing the Trust to be created and authorized to begin the important work of evaluating claims and compensating survivors of childhood sexual abuse while in the Boy Scouts of America.
As of today, the Trust has paid around $11.5 million to 4,602 Claimants, many of whom hold allowable Expedited Distribution claims. Even though the claims process is just getting started as I will discuss in more detail shortly.
The Trust has made significant progress in its operations over the past year. They faced significant challenges in building the infrastructure necessary to evaluate tens of thousands of survivors’ claims fairly and efficiently. This included creating comprehensive claims questionnaires, establishing claims processing portals, training a claims services team, and more.
Despite these challenges, the Trust launched the Claims Processing Portal and began accepting Claims Questionnaires for Expedited Distribution Claimants less than four months after being authorized to begin work. They also opened the claims process to all other Claimants, including those who filed proofs of claim in BSA’s bankruptcy case.
Expedited Distribution Claims: To date, 4,371 Expedited Distribution Claimants have been paid $11,080,485. They have begun releasing a portion of the lien holdback amounts to Expedited Distribution Claimants whose liens have been resolved.
Independent Review Option (IRO) Claims: Currently, 319 Claimants are moving forward in the IRO process, with hearings beginning next month.
Matrix Claims: The deadline for Matrix claims is May 31, 2024. To date, 19,048 Claimants have submitted their Claims Questionnaires. They have paid 37 Matrix Claimants a total of $257,615.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization may be eligible to file a claim for compensation through the Scouting Settlement Trust. Eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that those who have experienced abuse receive the support they deserve.
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Individuals who were subjected to sexual abuse while participating in Boy Scouts activities are eligible to file a claim, regardless of their current age or location.
Surviving Family Members: In cases where the survivor has passed away, certain family members may be eligible to file a claim on their behalf. This typically includes spouses, children, parents, and legal guardians.
Eligible abuse includes any form of sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault perpetrated against a child while participating in Boy Scouts activities. This encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from inappropriate touching to rape.
Filing a claim is a straightforward process. Survivors can fill out a claims questionnaire, providing details about their experiences of abuse. This questionnaire can be submitted online or by mail. For assistance with filing, survivors can seek help from legal representatives.
Navigating the legal aspects of filing a claim can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. Our experienced team is here to provide expert guidance every step of the way. Whether you have questions about eligibility, documentation, or the claims process itself, we're here to assist you thoughout the entire process. A qualified attorney can provide invaluable support and ensure that your rights are protected.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us. Contact us at (206) 335-3880 or (646)-421-4062 for a confidential consultation and let us help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
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