Hurley McKenna & Mertz (HMM) is proud to announce that it has been featured in the Netflix documentary, “Scout’s Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America,” for its work in representing thousands of survivors of sexual abuse by the organization. The documentary was released on the streaming service on Sept. 6.
According to Netflix, the investigative documentary includes recounts from experts, whistleblowers, and survivors regarding the organization’s decades-long cover-up of sexual abuse cases. During the film, HMM Founding Partner Chris Hurley details his experience working with thousands of victims of sexual abuse by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
“The Boy Scouts concluded that they were going to get inundated with claims,” Hurley said when asked why the BSA filed for bankruptcy protection. “I was amazed at how big that number [of victims] got.”
Below, we detail everything you need to know about these cases and the BSA’s resulting bankruptcy plan.
>>> Related read: Top 5 Takeaways From the “Scout’s Honor: The Secrets of the Boy Scouts of America” Netflix Documentary
Representing Victims of Sexual Abuse by the Boy Scouts of America
The experts at HMM represent more than 4,500 former Boy Scouts who are victims of sexual abuse, and secured the largest single perpetrator settlement in the history of the BSA.
HMM has worked diligently over the past three years to ensure that BSA and its sponsoring organizations take responsibility for their actions and that HMM’s clients and all BSA sexual abuse victims get a just and fair result.
>>> Related read: How Much Compensation Will Boy Scout Abuse Victims Receive?
The Boy Scouts of America Files for Bankruptcy
In February 2020, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy and proposed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan to the Court that would set up a compensation trust for men who were abused as children. This followed thousands of claims that resulted in the BSA paying more than $150 million in settlements to sexual abuse victims.
Following numerous amendments to the plan, the District Court affirmed Bankruptcy Court approval of the reorganization plan in March 2023. In April 2023, the bankruptcy plan went into effect. Following this development, our Trustee began implementing the terms of the settlement and analyzing claims. Given there are 82,000 total claims for the Trustees to analyze, we expect distributions will not take place until late this year at the earliest.
>> Related read: How the Mormon Church and the Boy Scouts of America are Linked
Timeline Related to Sexual Abuse Cases Against the Boy Scouts of America
Below, we share a detailed timeline related to our work in fighting for survivors of sexual abuse by the Boy Scouts of America.
2017-2019
Boy Scouts of America pays more than $150 million in settlements to sexual abuse victims
February 2020
Boy Scouts of America files for bankruptcy and proposes a Chapter 11 reorganization plan
November 2020
Deadline to file claims against BSA
September 2021
Boy Scouts of America files its Fifth Amended Compensation Plan
October 2021
Former BSA Youth Protection Director Tells Congress That Children Still Unsafe In Scouts BSA Programs
February 2022
HMM Spearheads Negotiations Resulting in BSA’s Revised and Improved Plan of Reorganization
March 2023
The U.S. District Court Affirms Bankruptcy Court Approval of the BSA Reorganization Plan
April 2023
Boy Scouts of America’s $2.4 Billion Fund to Pay Sex-Abuse Claims Goes Into Effect
August 2023
BSA Settlement Trust hosts Town Hall Meeting
Have You Been Sexually Abused? Get the Justice You Deserve
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you are not alone. Our team has worked with thousands of sexual abuse survivors, including those victimized by the Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Church, Mormon Church, and more. We would be honored to fight for you and get you the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
