For over a hundred years, families have entrusted their children to one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, the Boy Scouts of America. This scouting organization vows to teach young people to make moral decisions throughout their lifetime by fostering loyalty, courtesy, friendship, and bravery among other ideals. But, the Boy Scouts of America betrayed the precious youth it vowed to protect by allegedly engaging in sexual abuse and misconduct. At The Lake Law Firm, we understand that no amount of financial compensation can rectify the irreparable physical and emotional damages caused by sexual abuse. Yet, a Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawyer can help you hold the organization accountable for its actions, and prevent the Boy Scouts and other groups like it from engaging in this conduct in the future.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who were sexually abused by the Boy Scouts of America. Tens of thousands of men have suffered physical, psychological, and emotional injuries as a result of sexual abuse by Boy Scouts leaders.
The Boy Scouts of America consists of over 2.2 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21. BSA divides these members by age and activity to engage in leadership training and character development. To help scout members strive toward its motto, “Prepared. For Life,” the BSA has enlisted more than 35 million adults since its inception in 1910. Above all else, the BSA claims to value honor and civil duty to God and country.
In 2010, a judge ordered the Boy Scouts of America to release its internal records detailing members accused of sexual abuse. This shocking list, known in Scout headquarters as the “Perversion Files,” revealed the staggering amount of alleged sexual abuse in the BSA. These files alone showed that more than 12,000 boys claimed sexual abuse by roughly 7,800 members between 1944 and 2016. The Boy Scouts concealed these files from the public, and experts believe the organization allowed many perpetrators to keep their scouting positions.
The “Perversion Files” are merely the tip of the iceberg of sexual abuse in the BSA. It is likely that many victims did not report their abuse, either out of fear or shame. These predators held high-ranking positions of power that shielded them from ramifications and intimidated victims into silence. However, after the release of these records, the staggering extent of sexual abuse within the organization became public.
Sexual abuse can inflict long-lasting physical and mental trauma. Survivors of sexual abuse may have difficulty engaging in daily life because of the deep-rooted psychological impact stemming from their abuse. Sexual predators often leave scars both physical and unseen. Victims of sexual abuse may suffer:
Sexual abuse affects individuals differently and can result in both physical ailments and debilitating mental disorders.
Trusted scoutmasters and staff of the Boy Scouts of America exploited their roles to take advantage of young scout members. The organization has worked with millions of children over the years. Strong evidence supports that the BSA was aware of the rampant sexual abuse within its ranks, but failed to address it until recently. More survivors bravely come forward every day and over the years have filed lawsuits against the Boy Scouts of America.
Former Boy Scouts have filed more than 82,000 sexual abuse claims against the organization. Given the extraordinary number of lawsuits, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in 2020. In 2021, the organization’s primary insurer reached an $800 million settlement with the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice. The settlement brings the total compensation in the fund to over $2.6 billion for the 82,500 survivors. This is the largest sexual abuse settlement fund in history.
In September 2022, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein approved a $2.46 billion reorganization plan. This settlement approval allows the Boy Scouts to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy so that the national organization can continue operation. This $2.46 billion trust will compensate more than 80,000 men who claim they endured sexual abuse as children during their time in the Boy Scouts. Experts estimate that survivors can receive between $3,500 to $2.7 million from the fund depending on the severity of the claim and other factors. However, it will likely take months before individuals will see any compensation since a federal judge must still sign off on the order.
If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse while in the Boy Scouts, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation.
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