Judge Sets Final Filing Date in New Orleans Archdiocese Bankruptcy

| Oct 2, 2020 | Catholic Church

A federal bankruptcy court judge has ordered all sexual abuse claims against the New Orleans Archdiocese to be filed no later than March 1, 2021.  The ruling comes after the Archdiocese previously sought a much shorter filing date, often referred to as a “bar date.”  The extended date will allow the Court to deal with other matters such as disputes between the Archdiocese and its insurance carriers about how much coverage exists, and to resolve challenges by victims’ lawyers that assets were fraudulently transferred to avoid becoming part of the bankruptcy estate.

Through our own investigation at Horowitz Law, we have identified at least 96 clergy who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing children in the New Orleans Archdiocese, a staggering number given the Catholic population of the area.

The March 1, 2021, date is referred to as a “bar date” by the Bankruptcy Court because the Archdiocese will be forever immune from suit in any sexual abuse claim not filed by that date.  Survivors will never again have any chance for accountability after March 1, so it is critically important that you contact a lawyer today if you were harmed by an employee or volunteer in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, including laypeople and teachers.  This also applies anyone sexually abused as an adult and the estates of deceased victims.

Our attorneys have decades of experience representing victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.  Contact us confidentially now.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for federal bankruptcy protection in April 2020.  Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss your legal options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the New Orleans Archdiocese.

Very strict filing deadlines have now been set by the Bankruptcy Court.  Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today.  Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to [email protected].