Judge Littlefield Rules Insurers Do Not Have Standing to Object to Survivor Claims

In a significant victory for Survivors, Judge Littlefield has issued a decision that has wide-ranging implications. Specifically, Judge Littlefield concluded that insurers who deny that they are financially responsible for survivor claims do not—without more—have standing (the ability to act in Court) to object to survivor claims. The decision is instructive with regard to when and whether insurance companies have the ability to act in bankruptcy cases.

In the Diocese of Albany case, two of the Diocese’s insurance carriers, London Market Insurers and the Hartford, objected to nearly 50 survivor claims. The Committee challenged the objections, arguing that the insurers did not have standing to object. Judge Littlefield agreed, writing:  “As the Court stated on the record, it is difficult to “understand how [the Insurers] create the thread that [the Insurers] have standing when [they] have nothing at stake, [they] have no skin in the game.” 

The Committee applauds this decision and is hopeful that it will recognized across the country in situations where insurance companies attempt to interfere in bankruptcy cases to the detriment of Survivors.

At the confirmation hearing on August 28, Judge Wendy Kinsella indicated that she would issue a ruling approving the bankruptcy reorganization plan of the Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese.  This is very good news for the more than 400 Survivors of sexual abuse who have been waiting over five years for this bankruptcy to be resolved.  This website will be updated as more information is released.  Any Survivor who is represented by legal counsel should communicate with their attorney to discuss how this development impacts their individual case.

The Official Committee of Survivors of Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Syracuse bankruptcy invites all Survivors to view the video below.  The Committee recognizes that this has been a lengthy and difficult process for many Survivors and wants to share its views, in the hope that they help Survivors, as the next confirmation hearing approaches on August 27.

Please click here to watch the video.

A Survivor in New York was recently awarded $30 million by Supreme Court Justice Meagan K. Galligan.  Represented by Pfau Cochran Vertitis Amala, the Survivor was abused at a Boy Scout Camp by the defendant who was unlawfully posing as a doctor.   Details of this case can be read via this link.  Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  From that article, Ben Watson an attorney representing the Survivor commented “This verdict is a major victory for Mr. Pringle and for survivors across New York.  It also sends a clear message to any individual or institution that believes they can get away with the sexual abuse of children: the law will hold you accountable.”