By Baptist Message Staff
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—The Boy Scouts of America have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization and as a result will not be liable for keeping their pledge to hold churches harmless against sexual abuse lawsuits that may be filed in the future for actions in the past.
Consequently, churches need to file a “placeholder claim” with the courts by Nov. 16 in order to have protection against any claims arising from any relationship with the Boy Scouts of America – whether having chartered a troop or merely hosted one and regardless if that troop is still active or not.
“For people who don’t notify the court that they have a claim by the deadline of Nov. 16, there may not be any coverage,” Jaime Jordan told Baptist Press. Jordan’s firm, Guenther, Jordan & Price serves as general counsel to the Southern Baptist Convention.
“I advise churches, if they have now or have ever had a Boy Scout troop, that they should contact legal counsel to see if they need to file a prospective claim before Nov. 16,” Jordan urged.
COURT: District of Delaware
CASE NO.: 20-10343
PHONE: (866) 907-2721
WEBSITE: www.OfficialBSAclaims
BAR DATE: Nov. 16, 2020 (5 p.m. Eastern)
