Did the Deadline to Sue the Boy Scouts Pass?

Did you or someone you know suffer from abuse during their time in the Boy Scouts of America? If so, then you need to know the history of Boy Scout abuse, the organization’s recent declaration of bankruptcy, lawsuits, and deadlines, and how you can file your suit in the state of Arizona. If you or your son were abused while in boy scouts, you may still have a case. Read this and call our office to learn more.

Boy Scout Abuse History and Lawsuits

Boy Scout abuse allegations go back as early as the 1920s. It’s hard to know just how many cases of abuse there were, but according to court files released by the Boy Scouts of America, over 12,000 boys were abused by around 7,800 abusers. Most of these abuses occurred before the Boy Scouts began requiring background checks for troop leaders and other members of leadership.

In 2010, the news of these rampant abuses went public and shocked the country. After this, the Boy Scouts of America decided to publish all of their files and records that referenced reported abuses and abusers in their organization. The Boy Scouts also offered support to victims via monetary assistance and payments for counseling sessions. However, it is widely accepted that the organization would quietly handle abuse cases before 2010 by simply firing the accused and moving on. 

Boy Scout Bankruptcy’s Effect on Lawsuits

On February 18th, 2020 the Boy Scouts of America declared bankruptcy. According to the organization, they decided to do so in order to “equitably compensate victims who were harmed during their time in Scouting and continue to carry out Scouting’s mission for years to come.” While their intentions seem true, declaring bankruptcy put a deadline on when lawsuits could be filed against the Boy Scouts for abuse.

When the Boy Scouts originally filed for bankruptcy in February, they only expected a few thousand more victims to come forward. But when the deadline arrived, the number of abuse claims was up to 95,000. The deadline for filing abuse claims against the Boy Scouts was on November 16th, 2020. Unfortunately, this is a very hard deadline. Any claims made after this date risk losing a deserved compensation from the organization for any abuse. 

How To Sue in Arizona After the Deadline

The deadline to file a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America has passed. This was a very strict deadline, but it doesn’t mean that you are at a total loss. You may still have a case, and there are many other meaningful ways that you can take the Boy Scouts to justice:

• The Boy Scouts covered up abuse for decades. They should have to pay all of the consequences, including funding the new organization that will operate in its place. 
• You may file a civil suit using Arizona’s open “look-back” window. Though you may not receive compensation, your abuser will be on the legal public record. 
• You also have the option to file against your local Boy Scout council using the extended Arizona statute of limitations window. Going this route may or may not result in monetary compensation. 

Schedule a Free Case Review With Us 

If you are still looking to gain some sort of compensation from the Boy Scouts for your or your loved one’s abuse, you do still have some options. Call our office today at 602-955-0055 to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team. They will go over your case with you and help you decide your next steps.