About CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE in Boys Scouts of America

No, it’s not too late. Even if you filed your claim on your own during the bankruptcy process, you can still hire an attorney to represent you moving forward. The process is now in a stage where it is critical to have legal support to help protect your rights, properly value your claim, and avoid mistakes that could impact your recovery.

Yes. Even though the filing deadline for the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy has passed, you may still have legal options. Depending on when and where the abuse occurred, you might be eligible to pursue a civil case against other responsible parties — including local councils, sponsoring organizations (like churches or schools), or, in some cases, the Boy Scouts of America itself.

You may also qualify as a Future Abuse Claimant under the Trust Distribution Procedures (TDP) — meaning it is possible that your claim could be added to the existing settlement if certain conditions are met. While this path is still unsettled and is may depend on ongoing developments in the Third Circuit Court, it's important to know that this is only one of several potential avenues forward. State laws are changing rapidly in favor of survivors, and new legal windows, or civil opportunities, may apply to your situation. An attorney can help you assess all available pathways based on your specific circumstances.

 In many cases, yes. Troops are often sponsored by outside organizations — such as churches, schools, or civic groups — known as “chartering organizations.” If the organization had a role in selecting adult leaders, supervising activities, or failed to act on warning signs, they may also be legally responsible. Depending on the details of your case and the state in which you were abused, you may be able to bring a claim against the sponsoring organization, even if the abuse happened years ago.