The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on Friday agreed to pay $850 million in compensation to numerous people allegedly subjected to s3xual harassment by adults in scouting.
Media outlets reported that in February 2020, the century old organisation declared bankruptcy due to growing numbers of s3xual harassment claims from former members over the decades of its existence, amounting to over 80,000 suits.
Ken Rothweiler, an attorney representing 16,800 claimants in the case, said in a statement, quoted by USA Today that “the initial settlement of $850 million is the largest settlement of s3xual abuse claims in United States history.”
Lawyers are set to continue negotiating with insurance companies on a further increase in compensation for alleged abuse survivors.
The organisation would distribute the sum from its cash reserves and property sales through several trusts.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the BSA expects the move to bring the end of its bankruptcy scheme closer by the fall.
The deal, however, is yet to be approved by the justice.
