The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) allegedly shielded the identities of known abusers from the public for many years. While there have been allegations and convictions of abusers from the BSA for decades, recent evidence of large-scale sex abuse within the BSA surfaced in a series of lawsuits that continue to challenge the institution, according to Associated Press. The lawsuit uncovered files spanning some 20 years, documenting alleged abusers and their victims. It sent shock waves through the BSA and, arguably, opened the floodgates for more lawsuits brought by former scouts alleging that they had also been abused while in the care of the BSA.
While sexual abuse has been happening within the BSA organization for many years, the large-scale scandal referred to in the press recently, contributing to the organization’s filing of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, came to light only in recent years.
Some of the individuals filing lawsuits allege that the BSA knew of the complaints of abuse and even knowingly hired sexual offenders for decades, according to Reuters. The discovery of BSA sex abuse cases is still ongoing, as many past victims are only now coming forward.
Why Sue the Boy Scouts of America Now?
Some of the sexual abuse happened many years and even decades ago. If you suffered abuse by your scout leader or another BSA official, you may wonder what benefits come from suing the organization many years later. There can be several reasons why victims of abuse are coming forward now to claim compensation regardless of when and how the sexual abuse was widely discovered.
The BSA recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and has proposed a victims’ compensation fund, which potentially makes the process of filing a claim more streamlined. There is also a deadline associated with the conditions of filing bankruptcy, potentially limiting the time-span in which victims can file claims. This is one of the reasons why survivors of BSA sexual abuse should come forward now.
Sexual abuse survivors can suffer from lifelong conditions due to sexual abuse in childhood, such as eating disorders, depression, sexual problems, and relationship problems, according to the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. Anxieties and phobias in adulthood can also occur after childhood sexual abuse. Any of these conditions can have wide-reaching effects on a person’s health and even their ability to master daily life or perform at their job.
Victims of abuse who have searched for help for any adverse health conditions had to pay for therapy and medical bills out of their own pockets. Suing the individuals responsible for the abuse, as well as the BSA, which allegedly turned a blind eye, can help victims with the costs of treatments for their conditions, as well as potentially compensate them for any pain and suffering.
If you suffered BSA childhood sexual abuse, now is the time to come forward and find out whether you too could file a claim. Survivors now have a chance to have their voices heard and find some justice no matter when the sexual abuse was discovered by the public.
We Can Help
While the BSA maintains that there was no cover-up of sexual abuse in the organization, the fact that BSA officials kept the names of abusers and victims locked up and confidential, rather than report them to the police, tells another story. Some victims believe that BSA officials deliberately suppressed the information to protect the good name and wholesome image of the organization, to the detriment of thousands of children.
Many of those children are adults now, and they are coming forward in large numbers, demanding justice from the BSA. If you were sexually abused as a Boy Scout, and you would like to find out whether you qualify for compensation, do not delay and contact us today. We can evaluate your case, free and without any obligation, and advise you on your legal options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for your free consultation by dialing (800) 794-0444.
A statute of limitations may apply if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit, so the sooner you call us, the sooner we may be able to begin working on your case and filing the necessary paperwork required.
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