Under a bar date set by the federal bankruptcy court overseeing the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Chapter 11 filing, survivors have until May 31, 2024, to file clergy sexual abuse claims. After this date, no new claimants can recover compensation in the case.
While a 2023 law aimed to allow more survivors to get justice through the civil court system, this bankruptcy filing thwarted these efforts. Now, survivors have only a limited time to come forward and seek compensation based on the abuse they experienced.
If you are a survivor of abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, discuss your case with a Baltimore clergy sexual abuse lawyer immediately. There is no time to wait. Our firm provides free, confidential consultations.
What Happens to Baltimore Archdiocese Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims After the Bar Date?
May 31, 2024, is the bar date set by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maryland. This order sets a new deadline for sexual assault survivors since they cannot recover money if they file after this deadline.
After May 31, no new claims are possible based on previous clergy sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. After this date, the bankruptcy case will proceed as normal. The court overseeing it will help reorganize the Archdiocese’s debts, including the civil cases against the institution.
This will most likely occur by creating a fund to provide compensation for the claimants who filed before the deadline. The survivors and Archdiocese may negotiate a fair amount for this fund, or the bankruptcy court could determine the value.
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(888) 585-2188
How Does the Baltimore Archdiocese Bankruptcy Affect My Case?
If you have a pending clergy sexual abuse case, the Archdiocese of Baltimore Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing will cause significant changes in the way your case will progress. When an institution files for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court takes over any pending civil cases.
When reorganizing debts, the bankruptcy court must deal with the pending civil cases by determining which ones are legitimate, how much the Archdiocese can pay, and how to distribute the funds. However, these courts are not set up to hold trials. They cannot review evidence, hear from witnesses, or take other steps to give the case the due process it would have in the civil courts.
(However, in this specific case, the bankruptcy court will hear testimony from survivors on May 20, 2024.)
Instead, they will establish a fund under the oversight of Federal Bankruptcy Court Judge Michelle Harner. This fund will provide compensation for claimants who have pending clergy sexual abuse cases by the May 31, 2024, deadline.
Why the Archdiocese of Baltimore Filed for Bankruptcy
The Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2023. This came just days before the Child Victims Act of 2023 took effect on October 1. Among the provisions of this law was the elimination of the statute of limitations on sexual abuse lawsuits.
This change makes it possible for survivors of clergy sexual abuse to file suit and hold the Archdiocese of Baltimore responsible for the abuse endured even decades before. This also applies retroactively, meaning any survivor can hold the Archdiocese of Baltimore accountable for clergy abuse, even if they already attempted to file a claim that was time-barred.
When announcing the bankruptcy, Most Reverend William E. Lori pointed directly to this part of the Child Victims Act of 2023 as the reason for filing. Lawmakers passed this law, at least in part, because of a four-year investigation into Baltimore clergy abuse.
Following this investigation, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office prepared a report identifying 156 credibly accused parties, including clergy members, nuns, teachers at Catholic schools, and others associated with the Archdiocese. This investigation required the AG’s office to interview 300 survivors and determined there were likely at least 300 additional children abused by clergy members in Baltimore.
If you survived Baltimore clergy sexual abuse, you are not alone. However, there is a limited time to act. Call a clergy abuse lawyer immediately to protect your rights and fight for justice.
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What Should I Do About My Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
Your next steps depend greatly on where you are in the process already. If you have not filed a clergy sexual abuse case against the Baltimore Archdiocese, your next steps will be different—and more pressing—than if you already have a case pending.
You Haven’t Filed a Claim
If you are a Baltimore clergy sexual abuse survivor but have not filed the necessary paperwork to begin your case, you should contact an attorney representing survivors immediately. Time is of the essence. You must meet the May 31, 2024, deadline to recover compensation.
At the same time, it will take time to prepare this paperwork, document your damages, and take other necessary steps to develop your case. The sooner you get started, the better.
Even if you are not sure you want to proceed with your case, you should consider a free consultation with a clergy sexual abuse lawyer in Baltimore. This is your last opportunity before time runs out.
You Already Have a Pending Case
If you already filed your case, you can learn more about how the bankruptcy will affect it by discussing your next steps with a lawyer who represents survivors against the Archdiocese of Baltimore. They will discuss the specific details of your case and how the bankruptcy could affect your payout. They will also answer your questions about the fund and how this process usually works.
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Discuss Your Baltimore Clergy Sexual Abuse Case With Our Team
Jenner Law is located in Baltimore City. We provide free, confidential consultations and case reviews for clergy sexual abuse survivors. Our Baltimore sexual abuse lawyers understand how the Archdiocese bankruptcy affects the cases and the importance of filing your case before the deadline.
Contact us today about your case. We have someone available to take your call or respond to your online inquiry.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form