Lawsuit settlement

[SouthernKudzu]

I am part of the lawsuit against the BSA. My Scout Master was a fine man. I liked him, respected him and learned from him. My abuser was another Scout. An older, bigger Scout who was an helper/assistant to our Scout Master. He held our merit badges and promotions over us plus threatened the four of us if we did not comply or told on him. We were afraid of him. The Boy Scouts DID NOT hurt me, another Scout did.

I attribute my love of the woods, and camping to the Scouts. I have tent camped all over North AL, North GA, Eastern TN and Western NC. Today, due to my heart and Lupus, camping is renting a log cabin.

Anyway, I received an email with a specific dollar amount I am to receive. I did not join this law suit for money. My wife of 30 years, and I are financially fine. I joined to add my voice and possibly have input to prevent this from happening again. This email had 4 pdf attachments and had this: "The deadline to submit a Reconsideration Request along with your $1,000.00 administrative fee on your claim is March 15, 2025".

Is this legitimate? Has anyone received this? Today, it's hard to know whether something like this is a scam or not.

Thank y'all,

Southern Kudzu

[acco40]

From the Scouting Settlement Trust (https://www.scoutingsettlementtrust.com/s/article/7-34-How-Much-Time-Do-I-Have-to-Submit-a-Reconsideration-Request)

To request reconsideration, you must do two things within 30 days of receipt of your Allowed Abuse Claim Notice (the “Reconsideration Deadline Date”). First, you must upload your Reconsideration Request Form to your Portal account. Second, you must pay your $1,000 reconsideration fee to the Trust (unless a fee waiver (discussed further below) has been granted by the Trustee). Again, both must occur by the Reconsideration Deadline Date.

Completing and submitting the Reconsideration Request Form 
You must complete all fields within the Reconsideration Request Form and upload it to the Documents tab in your Portal account using the Document Type titled, “Reconsideration Request”. The Reconsideration Request Form is available on the Trust's website under “News and Key Documents/Trust Forms” or through this link.

Once the Reconsideration Request Form has been uploaded successfully, you must email info@scoutingsettlementtrust.com to inform the Trust that you are filing a Reconsideration Request prior to the day of your Reconsideration Deadline Date. Please title the subject line of the email “Reconsideration Request SST-XXXXXX" and include your claim’s SST number. Do not attach your Reconsideration Request Form to the email; as stated above, the Reconsideration Request Form must be uploaded to your portal account. 

Submitting the $1K Reconsideration Fee or have obtained a waiver of the Reconsideration Fee
Payments must be made in accordance with the Reconsideration Payment Instructions. Please email info@scoutingsettlementtrust.com to request the payment instructions with the subject line “Request for Reconsideration Payment Instructions SST-XXXXXX" and include your claim’s SST number. 

Is this legit?  I'm no lawyer but it appears to be sketchy from where I am sitting but I'd talk to a lawyer to be sure.

Edited February 21 by acco40

[acco40]

Furthermore (from the Wagstaff law firm  https://www.wagstafflawfirm.com/boy-scouts-of-america-bsa-settlement-trust) . . .

At their website there is the ability to ask their Senior Counsel about the case.  I'd recommend you do that.  I wouldn't be surprised if some outside firm is trying to scam by asking for $1,000.

 

Due to an overwhelming number of claims for sexual assault damages against the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the organization has recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. As a part of the bankruptcy proceedings, a Scouting Settlement Trust was established, offering a pathway for survivors to file claims and receive financial compensation for the harm they suffered.

KEY FEATURES OF THE SETTLEMENT TRUST

The goal of the Settlement Trust is to fairly and efficiently provide financial compensation to survivors, though the process will take significant time due to the sheer volume of claims and the complex nature of each case.

The assets from BSA, its local councils, and other contributing entities, such as insurers, were pooled to create a compensation fund. The fund continues to increase as assets become available. Many survivors chose to file their claim as an “Expedited Claim” and receive a flat fee, likely a lower amount than Survivors who filed a “Direct Abuse Claim.” Survivors who filed Direct Abuse Claims prior to August 26, 2024 are eligible to have their claim processed and evaluated through the Trust.

HOW THE TRUST VALUES CASES

The Trust is responsible for determining the value of each survivor's claim. A “Claims Matrix” has been created by the Trust which establishes six tiers of abuse types and provides the potential value range for claims in each category. Each case is evaluated individually according to the Matrix, taking into consideration various factors specific to each claim. This ensures fairness, consistency, and efficiency.

Factors That Influence Case Valuation:

• Severity of the Abuse: The Trust assesses the nature and severity of the abuse suffered by each survivor using the tiers established in the Claims Matrix. This includes looking at the type of abuse, number of times the claimant was abused, and duration of abuse.
• Impact on the Survivor: In addition to the severity, the long-term physical, emotional, and psychological impact on the survivor is considered. This can be evidenced by medical records, psychological evaluations, and other documentation.
• Connection to the BSA: The Trust also evaluates the direct connection between the abuse and the Boy Scouts organization or its affiliates (local councils or chartered organizations). Evidence of connection to Scouting can include names listed on membership rosters (many of these rosters are contained in a Document Repository and can be searched), photographs, or other memorabilia from Scouting.

The Trust uses a scoring system or tier-based structure to assign values to cases. Survivors with more severe and long-term impacts are entitled to higher compensation than those with less severe claims.

ISSUANCE OF SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS

Once a claim has been evaluated and valued, the Settlement Trust will begin the process of distributing payments to survivors. However, there are important considerations survivors should be aware of in terms of payment timelines and processes.

Phased Payment Structure:

• Initial Payment: Most survivors will receive an initial partial payment, which represents a portion of their total award. This is common in large settlement trusts where funds must be distributed across many claimants.
• Holdback Amount: The remaining portion of the settlement will be held back until the Trust finalizes all claims and ensures that there is enough funding to cover all eligible survivors.
• Full Payment: Once the Trust has a clear picture of the total number of eligible claims and available funds, the remainder of the settlement will be paid out.

Estimated Timeline

One of the most common questions survivors ask is, “When will I receive my settlement?” Unfortunately, due to the complex nature of each claim and the volume of claims (tens of thousands), the Trust cannot provide an estimated timeline for issuing initial payments of valid Direct Abuse Claims. Your legal team will be in touch with you as soon as any information is provided by the Trust about your claim.

While the process of claim evaluation and payment distribution will take time, the Trust's framework is designed to fairly assess each case and ensure survivors receive the compensation they deserve.

Edited February 21 by acco40

[PNWScout]

I was a Scout for 2 years and in that time was molested by my Scout Master. I provided proof of many things.  Upon discussing things with the Law office of Thornton et al., it was confirmed that another scout from the same troop had also submitted a claim, naming the same Scout Master, as the Abuser.  So, I am not a fraud like probably 10s of 1000s that took an early payout.  I was told via exchange of messages that I was eligible for as much as $492,800.  Then the law office said "but you won't get that. you'll get about $77,000.  And then we'll take our 40% out of that.  <expletive> This is a $2.7B settlement  

There were 80,000+ claimants to pay. How is it that I can't get the $492,800 that I am eligible for?  We are talking BILLIONS of DOLLARS in this settlement and the law office can't get that for me.  On top of that, they take 40%. smh   It's been 7 mos., since the initial payment of $4200.  I am supposed to come out with another $40,000 but some claimants filed some appeal, because they wanted in on the settlement even though they were 3 years late to the table to file a claim.  Even so, there can't be that many that we can't get what we were eligible for.  It's been 7 mos., and I keep getting the same frustrating answer from the Law office, and that's "We're still waiting for the 3rd Court of Appeals to determine how the balance of your claim will be paid, and when it will be paid."  I said so you're saying it could be several more months?  she said "yes. when we know, we'll contact you via cell or email or both."     sickening.

Edited March 4 by RememberSchiff
removed expletive -RS

[SouthernKudzu]

I'm sorry that happened to you. Also sorry that you are being given the runaround now.

I signed up almost 4 years ago to add my input to this so as to hopefully prevent this behavior in the future, not for any money. I talked to the attorney (he recorded it) for over an hour. I felt like a weight had been lifted off me. Unloading to this man, that did not sit in judgement of me, helped me. I should have sought counseling, but was too ashamed. I was a Scout in the mid 60's and kept quiet for 56 years. I was then asked to send proof, which I did with pictures of me receiving the Eagle and The God and Country Award, and to write in detail how the abuse affected me, which I did. My abuser was later sent to prison for 13 years for abusing children when he was an adult. He is on my state's Sexual Abuser List, and I sent that too. I never had children because I thought there was something "wrong with me" and did not want to pass it along to a son or daughter. I did not learn that my "reaction" to this at the time was a normal response for boys, even young men, to react "that way" when examined by a doctor. But I was in my 50's when I learned this.

I heard, $10,300, then $20, 600, then they offered $3,500 to "make it go away. Then it went just shy of $30,000. On Feb 14th I got an email that my claim had been resolved for right at $500,000. That is after the attorney's fees are taken out and I was told there is no tax, like the case against the Catholic Priests several years ago. It's my understanding that there were 82,500 men involved. Then 15,000 accepted the $3,500 pay out. There was $5.45 billion but after the attorney's fees there was $2.5 billion. $2.5 billion, divided by 67,500 men, if divided equally is $37,000. I've heard of one man receiving $2 million.

The $1,000 I mentioned was if I wanted to contest this amount and be reconsidered. I guess I was somewhat in shock at the amount I am to receive, and I misread it. I contacted the attorney twice and he said it was all good. I will not contest it. I will just have to wait to see the first check, it is supposed to come in installments. If I do not get a cent, then I am no worse off. If I was to receive $10 million, it would not take me back in time to change any thing, it would not erase my memories or heal the emotional scars I have, and I am 72 years old.

Wishing you well,

[PNWScout]

I probably should have hired an attorney after I found that they went from $492K+ to just $77K, then said we're taking 40% of that!  I read in your post that they took their 40% off of the top, not staggered, i.e., awaiting each claim and THEN taking 40%. I thought that was pretty cheap, and w/o any sense; of course they'd take 40% from a larger number.   It's not logical that they would divide it up equally (as you state $37,000 each) because they'd already awarded a victim $2.7M and they said I was eligible for $492K+ but then cut it down to $77K (how they'd know to do that, I've no clue and that's when I should have called an attorney), then said we're going to take 40% of that for our fee, and that leaves you with about $44K, and we can give you 1/10 of that as an initial payment, and the rest at some later date which is unknown.   It is true that the dollar amount doesn't take away the feelings, emotions, I mean, i blocked it all out, and then had to re-tell the stories, provide pictures of the Scoutmaster, show pictures of the many places within 45-90 mins of our Scout troop headquarters that he'd take us, and where i was abused. that includes a jamboree in europe.  This "reconsideration" and paying $1000 within 60 days of the day that I was given the claim amount, was NEVER brought to my attention. They did NOT tell me if you feel like this is unfair, you have an option of asking for a "reconsideration" and here's how to go about that. I would have done that, esp., given how yours turned out.  This infuriates me.

 

[SouthernKudzu]

Did you get an email with 4 pdf documents attached? The email had the "reconsideration form" on it.  That is the one that if you contested the amount, you fill out the form and send in the $1,000. It was explained to me that this was for the review committee to go back over all your documentation and listen or read your reasons.

The 4 documents were: 1) a calculation form,  2) a trust review - claim notice, 3)  a release form titled Exhibit B (this one had to be notarized so I went to my banker) and, 4)  a Signature Attestation Form.

We may have had different attorneys, but I would think the forms and procedures would be the same.

In fact, I had an email this past Monday from the settlement folks with an online questionnaire to fill out, but I could not get it to open, so I called. This nice lady explained that it dealt with "liens" . She explained that that meant, did I have any liens against anyone involved with this, which I did not. She would then forward my claim and I got an email on Tuesday that I should receive the first check in 2 weeks. I've never been involved with anything like this, so I don't understand the disbursement. I am to receive a 1.5% check (of the total) right away, then other checks to follow.

It appears to be coming to a conclusion, but until I have the check(s) in hand, I'm not making any plans. When I saw the about $500,00 amount, I think I was in sort of a shock, as to what we would do with this. I've since calmed down, talked to out financial manager, and am just waiting.

Other than this, I don't know what I can do to help. I'd be glad to send you these forms with my personal information removed. Here again, we may have different attorneys, if that matters.