The Archdiocese Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program, or IRRP, has been accepting claims since it was established last November. In the most recent report, completed in May, administrators said 167 victims had filed claims, and 93 had been awarded payments totalling nearly $20 million. There were 232 known victims who had not yet filed a claim.
Attorney Nate Foote says there could be a couple of reasons for that.
Some, he says, want nothing to do with the process. Others would prefer a court proceeding, where they could learn more about their case and what the Archdiocese knew, though it would take an act of the legislature to allow it.
For some, though, he says it's closure.
Related
"It depends on a lot of factors. Some clients are in their 70s, and we may never get a statute of limitations reform in Pennsylvania. Or, if we do, it may take another few years, and they may not be in a position to wait," he said.
A condition of accepting an IRRP payment is to give up the right to sue. However, says Mike McDonnell of the survivors' group SNAP, applying does not obligate anyone to accept a payment.
"See what they're willing to put forth and weigh your options at that point in time," he said.