Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Abuse Resource Center
​At Hurley McKenna & Mertz (HM&M), we’ve been at the forefront of representing survivors of sexual abuse by the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, our attorneys have led litigation, advocated for fair compensation in the BSA bankruptcy, and kept survivors informed through Town Halls, FAQs, and news updates.
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This page brings together our most important resources — organized so you can quickly find what you need, whether you are considering filing a claim, seeking updates on the bankruptcy process, or looking for background information about the BSA’s history.
Where to Start
Update on the Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy
Chris Hurley from HM&M shares the latest developments in the BSA case in the video below. At the end of this page, you’ll also find additional resources if you’d like to learn more.
HM&M’s Chris Hurley shares the latest on the BSA’s bankruptcy.
Current Boy Scouts of America Updates
Dear HM&M Clients,
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We have reviewed Judge Silverstein’s nearly 300-page opinion on the Boy Scouts of America Reorganization Plan. The Court approved most of the Plan, but it is not yet final. The BSA must make certain changes and secure agreement from all parties before the Plan can move forward. Below is a summary of the Court’s findings.
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Trustee Appointment
The Court appointed Barbara Hauser as Trustee, with Michael Reagan and Diane Welsh assisting.
Settlement Trust Advisory Committee (STAC)
The Court confirmed that the STAC will remain in place. Chris Hurley serves as Chairman of this committee, giving our team a key role in future negotiations. The STAC will have major influence on settlements with insurers and sponsoring organizations.
Fraud Prevention
The Court directed the Trustee to create a process to identify and remove fraudulent claims. Our firm is already working on ways to support this process, drawing on years of experience in similar cases.
Local Council Settlements
Methodist Contribution
The Court approved $665 million in contributions from Local Councils.
The Methodist Church agreed to contribute $30 million, plus raise an additional $100 million from other sponsoring groups. The Court approved this plan.
Insurance Settlements
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Independent Review Option (IRO)
Channeling Injunction
Settlements with Hartford, Century, Clarendon, and Zurich totaling $1.656 billion were approved.
The Court did not approve TCJC’s proposed settlement, finding that it was too broad and included claims unrelated to Scouting. Further discussions are expected.
The Court approved keeping the IRO in place, including $20,000 in fees for claims worth more than $1 million in states where cases are still legally open.
The Court approved a process called a “channeling injunction,” which directs claims to the Settlement Trust instead of State Court. This applies to:
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All claims after January 1, 1976​
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Claims before January 1, 1976 that involve the insurers who settled (Hartford, Century, Clarendon, Zurich)
What's Next?​
HM&M will continue to meet with the Tort Claimants Committee (TCC) in the coming weeks to determine next steps. The Plan will need revisions to comply with the Court’s decisions.​​
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Townhall Meeting
We will hold a townhall for our clients soon to discuss what to expect moving forward. A Zoom invitation will be sent with details. See links to past townhall meetings below.
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Please continue to take care of yourselves. We appreciate your patience as this complex case moves forward.
Scouts Honor: Netflix Documentary on The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America
Now streaming on Netflix, this 2023 documentary exposes the Boy Scouts of America’s decades-long cover-up of sexual abuse and the lasting impact on survivors.
The film features interviews with survivors, whistleblowers, and legal experts — including Hurley McKenna & Mertz founding partner Christopher T. Hurley, whose work representing hundreds of survivors has helped bring national attention to the organization’s systemic failures.
Resources
Below is a collection of resources organized by topic to help survivors and their families quickly access the information most relevant to them.​
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Recommendation for How to Use These Resources:​
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Start with the Town Hall Updates for current developments.
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Go to Survivor Guidance & FAQs if you’re thinking about filing a claim or want to understand your options.
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Read Lawsuits & Media Coverage to see how HM&M is advocating for survivors.
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Explore Accountability & Background Reading if you want the bigger picture.
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If you haven't already, fill out the form "Tell Us About Your Case" at the bottom of the page for updates and to be contacted by our legal team.
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For additional updates, visit Scouting Settlement Trust.
Town Hall Updates
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Our Town Halls are live and recorded sessions led by HM&M attorneys that explain the latest developments in the BSA bankruptcy, Settlement Trust distribution, and survivor rights. If you want timely, plain-language updates, start here.
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Why Watch?
These Town Halls explain the bankruptcy timeline, Trust Distribution Procedures (TDP), deadlines, and what survivors can expect regarding compensation.
Town Hall RecordingsTown Halls are posted with each major update. Fill out the form below to get notified about future sessions.
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2025
2024
2021
Survivor Guidance & FAQs
These articles answer common questions about filing a claim, what deadlines mean, and how compensation works. If you are unsure whether to file a claim or what to expect, these links are for you:
Deadlines & Urgency Notices
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The BSA bankruptcy process has involved strict filing deadlines. These posts highlight the urgency survivors faced and why timing matters in ongoing claims.
Lawsuits & Legal Actions
These cases and filings show how survivors and HM&M have fought for accountability.
Accountability & Financial Issues​
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​Several articles focus on how the BSA and local councils have handled — or mishandled — finances in the bankruptcy
Media Coverage & Commentary
Our work has been featured widely in the media, helping bring attention to the scale of the abuse and the flaws in the BSA’s bankruptcy process.
History Of Abuse In The Boy Scouts of America Organization
The Boy Scouts of America’s history with sexual abuse spans more than a century. What began as isolated reports has now been exposed as a widespread, systemic crisis, resulting in one of the largest sexual abuse cases in U.S. history. The timeline below highlights major milestones in the fight for justice and accountability, from the organization’s founding to recent court rulings and survivor advocacy.
February 1910
May 1913
October 2012
2017–2019
December 2019
February 2020
November 2020
September 2021
October 2021
February 2022
March 2023
April 2023
August 2023
February 2024
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is founded. Sexual abuse is reported as early as this year.
The Mormon Church becomes the BSA’s first charter organization, encouraging boys to join. Abuse within the church-linked troops goes largely unchecked for decades.
An Oregon court orders BSA to release its secret "Perversion Files," revealing hidden abuse cases from the mid-1960s to mid-1980s.
BSA pays more than $150 million in settlements to sexual abuse victims.
The Mormon Church ends its 100-year partnership with BSA.
BSA files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing mounting costs and liabilities from abuse claims.
Deadline for victims to file claims against BSA (Nov. 16, 2020).
BSA files its Fifth Amended Plan, including major settlements: $787 million with Hartford Insurance and $250 million with the Mormon Church.
Former BSA Youth Protection Director Michael Johnson urges Congress to investigate BSA’s lack of safeguards.
Hurley McKenna & Mertz attorneys help negotiate key changes to BSA’s reorganization plan. Survivors are urged to vote to accept the revised plan.
District Court affirms the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of the plan, a key step toward establishing the Settlement Trust.
BSA’s $2.4 billion fund to pay sexual abuse claims goes into effect.
Trustee Barbara Houser and Claims Administrator Randi Roth host a Town Hall, outlining the claims process and answering survivor questions.
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Survivors attempt to block the $2.46 billion settlement.
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Justice Alito temporarily halts the deal (Feb. 16).
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Supreme Court allows the settlement to move forward (Feb. 22).
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HM&M hosts a Town Hall updating survivors on the bankruptcy case (Feb. 24).
