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.

The Town Hall will proceed virtually on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM Eastern time.  The session will provide Survivors with an:

• Update on the bankruptcy process and progress to date.
• Overview of upcoming steps in the proceedings.
• Opportunity to submit questions and receive answers from Committee members and legal professionals.

How to Participate:  The Town Hall is open to all Survivors, their attorneys, and other support persons.  Please note that only the Committee and its legal professionals will be visible during the meeting.  Participants will join as attendees and will not appear on camera or be identified to other participants.

Access the Town Hall:

• Zoom Link:  https://stinsonllp.zoom.us/j/96535572022?pwd=5T5nG0wAoAj9M1W4YlgTIB1MK3RvMM.1
• You may also log into the meeting manually by using the following ID and Passcode:
  • Webinar ID: 965 3557 2022
  • Passcode: 739616
• The following toll-free numbers are also available if you wish to listen only:
  • 877 853 5257 US Toll Free
  • 888 475 4499 US Toll Free
  • Webinar ID: 965 3557 2022

Questions Welcome:  Survivors may submit questions both before and during the Town Hall. No questions will be identified with a specific sender. If you’d like to submit a question before the Town Hall, please email baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  The Committee and its legal professionals will do their best to respond to questions during the meeting and will post answers following the Town Hall to http://www.BaltimoreSurvivors.com  Please note that we will not be able to address questions related to individual Survivor claims.  Such inquiries should be directed to the Survivor’s counsel.

You may view a recording of the meeting here.

The Judge overseeing the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case has granted the Official Committee’s request for a third hearing for Survivors to present their impact statements before the Court.      

In 2024, the Court held two powerful and effective hearings where survivors were able to make impact statements before the Judge and the Archbishop.  These sessions provided survivors with a meaningful voice in the bankruptcy process and were well-received by all participants.  Recently, the Committee made a request for a third Survivor impact statement hearing before the court.  The Archdiocese and certain insurance companies objected to the Committee’s request arguing that the statements would compromise the Court’s impartiality, delay the bankruptcy process, and improperly influence judicial decision-making.  They also argued that any impact statements should be deferred until the end of the case. 

On August 11, 2025, Judge Harner issued a comprehensive decision rejecting the Archdiocese and insurers’ arguments.  In her opinion, Judge Harner emphasized that Survivors are “parties in interest” who have been prevented from pursuing their claims in regular courts.  She stated that providing Survivors opportunities to address the Court is warranted, necessary to the continued administration of the bankruptcy case and is supported by the bankruptcy law.  Judge Harner’s decision is an important victory and reinforces that all Survivors’ voices are meaningful and have a vital place in the process.

The impact statements will proceed on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern in Courtroom 9-C at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, 101 W Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 .  Survivors who have filed claims in the bankruptcy case and wish to participate should contact the Committee’s legal team at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  If represented by counsel, please discuss this opportunity with your attorney beforehand.  Please check back to this website for additional details about the conference as they become available.