The Boy Scouts of America agreed to resolve a case involving at least 80,000 victims of child sex abuse in a settlement worth $850 million, the largest settlement ever for a case of this kind. The amount is more than double its initial offer.
The BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year amid hundreds of costly, formidable lawsuits. By November 2020, nearly 90,000 people had filed claims against the 111-year old youth organization.
Attorney Paul Mones, who represents some of the claimants, said he expects the settlement amount to balloon to more than $1 billion when calculating contributions from insurance companies.
"There was never going to be an agreement that any survivor would be happy about," Mones told USA Today. "What we attempted to do in this negotiation was under the circumstances, and with all of the various competing interests, the best deal possible."
Ken Rotwheiler, an attorney for nearly 17,000 victims, described most of his clients as men in their 60s and 70s who endured sexual abuse as teenagers.
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“I am pleased that both the BSA and their local councils have stepped up to be the first to compensate the survivors,” said Ken Rothweiler said in a statement Thursday.
The settlement provides each sexual abuse survivor with an estimated $10,000 payment, assuming the funds get distributed evenly. The claimants are now required to vote on the proposed settlement amount, which Mones anticipates they will accept.
Court documents filed Thursday disclosed details of the settlement amount. Boy Scouts of America also agreed to turn over all the records it has related to abuse claims.
The Boy Scouts said the settlement was a significant step forward.
“There is still much to be done,” the youth organization said in a statement Thursday. “The BSA is wholeheartedly committed to working toward a global resolution,” adding the group hopes to emerge from bankruptcy later this year.
The Boy Scouts had previously described being “devastated” by the number of victims and “heartbroken” at their pain. The organization has instituted new policies for youth-adult interactions and mandatory training and background checks for all volunteers and staff.