Boy Scouts of America Lawsuits
Connecticut Sexual Abuse Lawyers Ready to Protect You
In 2012, a set of inflammatory statements were made against the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), alleging that scoutmasters throughout the decades and all around the country were regularly molesting young boys. After the first wave of reports hit the headlines, teens and adults across the nation saw that it was acceptable for them to come out and tell their stories of sexual abuse. 17 men and 2 women have hired the firm to file a high-profile claim against a single scoutmaster, Donald Dennis, who is now deceased.
As the story and the case develops, it is important to encourage anyone who has ever been abused by a scoutmaster or any person associated with the Boy Scouts of America to step forward and seek justice. The men and women in the ongoing lawsuit have filed anonymously – as John Does and Jane Does – so it is possible to pursue fair compensation while keeping your life private. If this information pertains to you, please do not hesitate to call 401-400-4254 and speak to our Connecticut sexual abuse lawyers in a confidential case evaluation.
Sexual Abuse Laws & Related Compensation
The allegations of the BSA lawsuit is fronting stem from the 1960s and 70s. While some people may believe a statute of limitations must have passed to prohibit the lawsuits, the opposite is true. People who were victimized by sexual abusers have 30 years to file a claim after they reach 18, or one year after new evidence regarding the abusive acts is brought to light.
Actions that constitute sexual abuse include:
- Fondling
- Molestation
- Forced sexual acts
- Taking illicit pictures
There are two main forms of compensation being sought in the BSA lawsuits:
- Nominal: When a person has been sexually abused by someone they trusted, such as a scoutmaster, it usually results in severe psychological or emotional trauma. Nominal damages seek to provide peace of mind by awarding the plaintiff for their mental harm experienced as a result of the abuse.
- Punitive: Criminal acts that cause significant emotional or physical harm to someone can be penalized with punitive damages in a civil lawsuit. By making the defendant pay punitive damages, the hope is that they and others with similar mindsets will never repeat the criminal act, such as molesting young children.
Why the Boy Scouts Could Be Guilty
The Donald Dennis case has raised a question about liability in sexual abuse cases of this nature. With Dennis having passed away in 2013, before the case was filed, the Boy Scouts of America and other associated organizations were named liable for the damages. This is due to the fact that the Boy Scouts have an inherent responsibility to ensure its members are protected at all times.
In a statement released to the public, BSA “extended its deepest sympathies” to the victims of scoutmaster abuse. The apologetic tone of the press release can be seen as an admission of guilt, of the BSA’s own way of saying that it allowed sexual abuse to occur due to its own negligence or lack of oversight.
Take Action & Seek Justice with Our Assistance
TJC • ESQ and our Connecticut sexual abuse attorneys are vigilant in our pursuit of justice for our clients. We want nothing more than to know that they have been given the compensation they deserve so that they can hopefully find peace of mind. If you need to tell someone about what has happened to you while you were attending the Boy Scouts of America, either years in the past or quite recently, we wholeheartedly encourage you to reach out to us for both moral support and legal guidance in the lawsuit you may need to file. Call 401-400-4254 at any hour, any day for our help.
TJC • ESQ is now a part of Burns & Levinson, one of the largest and most respected family law firms in the nation. Learn more.
