Boy Scouts Settle Sexual Abuse Case
Justice – 6, Boy Scouts – 0 could have been the score for a recent Oregon court ruling that settled a years’ long sexual abuse case. Six men who accused their leader of sexual molestation agreed to a settlement that may figure in the millions. A need to have it over and to get on with their lives was part of the motivation to settle.
These men, all members of the same troop, claimed that they were abused by a former leader back in the 80’s. Their attorney says he hopes the ruling will give other victims of abuse the courage to speak up and be heard. One of the plaintiffs was awarded $20 million back in April for compensatory and punitive damages with The Boy Scouts of America to pay the vast majority of that amount. A jury found that the Boy Scouts failed to protect the plaintiff from a pedophile assistant scoutmaster. This was the largest award to a single victim of sexual abuse in the nation’s history. The likelihood of an appeal by the BSA led to the settlement.
One bright note, six weeks after the verdict, the BSA implemented major changes to their youth program designed to keep children safer. These changes include volunteers undergoing mandatory youth protection training and hiring a former San Antonio police detective with experience in sexual abuse investigation to oversee the youth protection program.
Scouting has provided invaluable experiences and memories for millions of boys over the 100 years of its existence. However, these memories should not include being victimized by sexual molestation or assault. We’re here to help you if you’ve been abused. Contact us by email or at 800-705-2121 and we’ll do our best to help set things right.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
