A jury in Alameda Superior Court (Oakland) found this week that one Survivor deserves to be paid $16 million for abuse he experienced in the Diocese of Oakland. The Survivor was abused by a priest who had previously been arrested for abuse, but was then moved to another post. The same priest had been accused of abuse in several other lawsuits. 

Rick Simons, lead trial attorney for the Survivor commented “This is a case about accountability, it’s about justice. It’s about the Survivor finding his voice and regaining his power. We stand with him on this momentous day.” Jeff Anderson, another attorney representing the Survivor commented “Today’s verdict reflects years of resilience and determination, driven by an unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. This moment belongs not only to the Survivor, but to every survivor who has stood up and spoken up.”  

The Diocese of Oakland is in bankruptcy, but this trial was able to proceed because the bankruptcy stay was lifted to allow a small number of Survivor lawsuits to proceed. Details regarding the case can be viewed via this link. Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  

This result makes clear, once again, that Survivor claims are valid and serious and that the Church and its insurers face very significant financial responsibility for Survivor claims in all Catholic Church bankruptcies. The outcome also reflects the bravery and tenacity of the Survivor who agreed to stand up to the Church and its large insurers, and to face down the most difficult experiences of his life, in order to help other Survivors in the Diocese of Oakland and across the country. 

The Survivor Committee has taken a large step forward in the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy by filing something called a plan of reorganization. The Committee’s “plan” provides a legal roadmap to bring the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy to a much-needed conclusion.

Although many issues remain subject to negotiation, the Survivor Committee’s plan includes an agreement in principle for Hartford to pay $100 million.The Survivor Committee led negotiations on this landmark resolution. The Committee is hopeful that it may soon be in a position to announce settlements with other parties as well.

The Committee’s agreement with the Hartford is just one piece of a large and complex puzzle and it is also subject to ongoing negotiations of non-financial terms as well as typical conditions, such as the bankruptcy court’s approval of both the $100 million agreement and the court’s approval of a plan that resolves the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy overall. That said, the Committee’s $100 million resolution with the Hartford is a significant first step toward global resolution and provides measurable hope to 900+ Survivors who have waited far too long for recognition.