WILMINGTON (DE)
Axios [Arlington VA]
September 9, 2022
By Shawna Chen
A bankruptcy judge approved Thursday the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) $2.46 billion reorganization plan.
Why it matters: It would enable the BSA to exit Chapter 11 and continue operating while compensating over 80,000 men who allege scout leaders sexually abused them, per Reuters.
- It’s the largest sex abuse lawsuit in U.S. history and comes after years of legal battles.
Details: Under the plan, the BSA, its local councils, settling insurance companies and troop-sponsoring groups like religious organizations would contribute to a fund for survivors in exchange for protection from future abuse lawsuits.
- Claimants could receive anywhere from $3,500 to $2.7 million for the most severe cases.
- Some of the money would also go toward a trust set up to fund litigation against those that have not settled, per AP.
What’s next: The ruling, issued by Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein in Delaware, now awaits approval from a federal district judge.
- A group of insurers has said they will likely appeal, Reuters notes.
The big picture: The BSA filed for bankruptcy in February 2020 amid mounting legal costs from sex abuse lawsuits as well as declining membership.
- Claimants took on the status of BSA creditors, which meant the organization had to seek their approval on any plans to reorganize and exit bankruptcy.
- More than 50,000 survivors voted on the proposed settlement.
- A group of insurers has said they will likely appeal, Reuters notes.