SouthernKudzu

Man, I'm sorry you've had that crap hit you. I never told my folks and they have passed now. I wish I could, to explain some emotional issues I had. Noting illegal or violent, just things they did not understand. I never had children because I felt like there was something wrong with me because I "responded" to his abuse. I did not want to pass that along. I was in my 50's when I learned that it is a normal response to be aroused. That happens to boys, even young men, while being examined by a doctor. That's why I don't have grandchildren to spoil and give back to their parents. I always felt like "I do not belong" and I attribute that to the abuse. That cost me a marriage since I did not want children and a relationship of 18 moths for the same. I could not tell them why. I avoided women for a while but met an angle later in life that was not interested in children. We are about to hit 30 years and I did not tell her until I got with this suit, 4.5 years ago. I hated my abuser for years and wanted to hurt him, and I could, my being a former Ranger. But I no longer feel that way and actually have some pity for him. The attorney asked me if the pattern repeated with me or my friend. No way! He said it often does. And I thought, was my abuser abused and it continued? As to the money, it's OK if I get or if I don't . Don't mean to brag, but I enjoy helping others, especially anonymously. I do it for me as it gives me a good feeling and I don't miss it. You know who I vent to? My dog. He knows all my secrets and will not tell anyone. He looks at me with those black eyes as if to say, "It's OK Daddy, it's OK". As silly as that sounds, it helps me. The other thing I do is talk to the Good Lord when alone, driving or yard work. I'm glad He understands a Southern accent Take car, my friend.

Probably. I got an email today. It stated the amounts the men receive should be 55% of the amount that the settlement was for. This was because the amount of the claims is more that the amount to be dispersed. It said that some "objecting parties" are taking this to the Supreme Court. But this attorney said that it is highly unlikely that the SC will "take up the matter" based on past cases. Ex. $100,000 settlement and you receive $55,000. However, in my case (as I had mentioned), the 1.5% check (of the total settlement) I received had 46% taken out. So, in my example, if the 46% deduction applies, the $55,000 drops to $29,700. I don't know whether taxes are then taken out. But, from what I gather, there are no taxes to be paid. In the sexual abuse lawsuit against the Catholic Church, the victims did not pay taxes on the settlements, unlike a bad product or a company ripping off the customers. That really knocks down the amount that I, we, were told the settlement was for. I don't want this to sound like I am money hungry or itching to get my hands on it. I do this so as to help the other guys. Their attorneys may not update them every Friday like mine does. I will give at least 10% (a tithe) to a church and a charity we support. I look at it like this ... Whatever the final amount is, I would not have gotten anything if I had not joined the suit. In my case, the Scouts did not hurt me, an older, bigger Boy Scout did, and we were afraid of him as he held merit badges and promotions over us and threaten to harm us. I feel awkward accepting anything from the BSA. My Scout Master was a fine man. I liked him respected him and learned from him. He would have taken action against our abuser if we had spoken up. But back in the mid 60's, boys had a code: boys don't hit girls, boys don't squeal, boys suck it up and walk it off. Our abuser spent 13 years in prison as an adult for abusing children. He is on the Alabama Sexual Offenders web site. My wife and I are very blessed that whatever I receive will be invested or used in a good way, after the 10% is given away. I doubt if I will every "enjoy" it. With my heart, I may not be here next year. Hope this helps.

I got into this class action lawsuit about 4.5 years ago. The attorney sends an update every Friday with a video, usually. Sometimes more emails than that. I'm looking for the one that said that the total figure, from organizations, insurance companies, even some pharmaceutical companies (go figure) was for $5.45 billion for 82,000 men. Figures of $10,300, then $20,600, then almost $30,000 were mentioned. Then they offered $3,500 to make it "go away". I was informed that 15,000 men took that offer. That left 67,000 men. Another email said the amount to be dispersed was $2.6 billion. I assumed that was after the attorney's fees, but was not told that. And yes, I know what happens when one assumes. I received an email that my settlement claim was almost $550,000. Then a follow up email said to add 2.4% to that. Then an email came with a form for the 1.5% initial check, I filled it out and have received that check, but 46% was taken out. If 46% is taken out of $550,000 then that leaves $297,000 which is nothing to sneeze at but still a far cry from the original. I have never been in a class action lawsuit so this is all new to me. In my case, I did not join for any money. My wife and I are pretty well off and don't need it. I will give at least 10% of it away and the rest will be invested. I doubt if I will ever enjoy it as I am 73 with a bad heart. I joined to add my voice and to offer suggestions as to how to prevent this in the future, which I have done so twice with BSA officials. Even if the amount was $10 million, that does not give me a "do-over", erase memories or heal emotional scars, but what else can be done? I almost wish I had never joined the law suit. I kept quite for almost 6 decades and pretty much forgot about it. But is has been on my mind quite often for 4.5 years.

I had posted this: Initially, the total amount was $5.45 billion for 82,000 men. Then I was told that the amount to disperse was $2.6 billion. I assumed this was after the fees and such. (and yes, I know what happens when one assumes). I've wondered about double dipping as well.

Thanks, I pulled it up and will read it later. My check for the 1.5% came today. Now a check for almost $5,000 is nothing to sneeze at, but that's after 46% was taken out.

Never heard of that. I went back over the deductions and there was my attorney's fees, which was relatively small, and fees for 4 other attorneys, plus "case expenses" which was only $300. Nothing was shown about Alabama of statue of limitations. Now this was the 1.5% check so I don't know if the same percentage will apply to another check(s), if I ever get them. I am treating this as though I won't receive anything and this has been a waste of time.

Alabama. The attorney's office first said my settlement was above $500,000, this was back at the first of the year. Then they said to add 2.4% to that. I'd have to look back through all the emails as to why. Anyway, that put it well over the $500,000 mark. Then I got a form to electronically initial a lot of lines for the first check, the one for 1.5%, to be sent. OK, great. But, on a following page were all the deductions for attorneys, investigators, clerical, etc. and that took out 46% of the check. Wow! So, the over $8,000 check is now $4,500. I have not received it yet as of 05-27-25. If the same percentage applies to the rest of the check, it cuts it almost in half. Just to deal in round figures ... if the amount was $500,000 then 46% less is $270,000, deductions being $230,000. Now $270,000 is nothing to sneeze at, but it came as a shock when I was led to believe that all the ductions were already taken out. Initially, the total amount was $5.45 billion for 82,000 men. Then I was told that the amount to disperse was $2.6 billion. I assumed this was after the fees and such. (and yes, I know what happens when one assumes). Then they offered $3,500 for a payout to "make it go away" and 15,000 men opted for that. So, if 67,000 men were to share $2.6 billion, then that's $38.806 each. I was shocked to see over $500, 000 for my settlement. One of the lines I had to initial was that, "I may not receive the whole amount". That is pretty open ended. If I had been told that all the fees would come out and the final check would be $270,000, I would be thrilled. But, them showing the $500,000, well, I have mixed emotions. If I had not contacted them then I would get nothing, so I should be happy. I shouldn't say happy. If it was $10 million I will get, that does not take me back in time for a do-over, erase my memories or heal the emotional scars I still have all these years later. I have resolved myself to thinking I will get nothing. The attorneys will get rich and the victims will get little or nothing. What gets me is this has been on my mind for over 4 years, when I had not thought about it for over 50 years. I never told anyone, not my family and not even my wife of over 30 years. But I have dreams now, I think I see the abuser as we live in the same county (but it's not him). I almost wish I had never gotten involved in this class action lawsuit. Fortunately I, we, don't need the money. Whatever I receive, if any, will be added to our investments. But there are a lot of men out there who are far worse off than we are.

Did you get an email with 4 pdf documents attached? The email had the "reconsideration form" on it. That is the one that if you contested the amount, you fill out the form and send in the $1,000. It was explained to me that this was for the review committee to go back over all your documentation and listen or read your reasons. The 4 documents were: 1) a calculation form, 2) a trust review - claim notice, 3) a release form titled Exhibit B (this one had to be notarized so I went to my banker) and, 4) a Signature Attestation Form. We may have had different attorneys, but I would think the forms and procedures would be the same. In fact, I had an email this past Monday from the settlement folks with an online questionnaire to fill out, but I could not get it to open, so I called. This nice lady explained that it dealt with "liens" . She explained that that meant, did I have any liens against anyone involved with this, which I did not. She would then forward my claim and I got an email on Tuesday that I should receive the first check in 2 weeks. I've never been involved with anything like this, so I don't understand the disbursement. I am to receive a 1.5% check (of the total) right away, then other checks to follow. It appears to be coming to a conclusion, but until I have the check(s) in hand, I'm not making any plans. When I saw the about $500,00 amount, I think I was in sort of a shock, as to what we would do with this. I've since calmed down, talked to out financial manager, and am just waiting. Other than this, I don't know what I can do to help. I'd be glad to send you these forms with my personal information removed. Here again, we may have different attorneys, if that matters.

I'm sorry that happened to you. Also sorry that you are being given the runaround now. I signed up almost 4 years ago to add my input to this so as to hopefully prevent this behavior in the future, not for any money. I talked to the attorney (he recorded it) for over an hour. I felt like a weight had been lifted off me. Unloading to this man, that did not sit in judgement of me, helped me. I should have sought counseling, but was too ashamed. I was a Scout in the mid 60's and kept quiet for 56 years. I was then asked to send proof, which I did with pictures of me receiving the Eagle and The God and Country Award, and to write in detail how the abuse affected me, which I did. My abuser was later sent to prison for 13 years for abusing children when he was an adult. He is on my state's Sexual Abuser List, and I sent that too. I never had children because I thought there was something "wrong with me" and did not want to pass it along to a son or daughter. I did not learn that my "reaction" to this at the time was a normal response for boys, even young men, to react "that way" when examined by a doctor. But I was in my 50's when I learned this. I heard, $10,300, then $20, 600, then they offered $3,500 to "make it go away. Then it went just shy of $30,000. On Feb 14th I got an email that my claim had been resolved for right at $500,000. That is after the attorney's fees are taken out and I was told there is no tax, like the case against the Catholic Priests several years ago. It's my understanding that there were 82,500 men involved. Then 15,000 accepted the $3,500 pay out. There was $5.45 billion but after the attorney's fees there was $2.5 billion. $2.5 billion, divided by 67,500 men, if divided equally is $37,000. I've heard of one man receiving $2 million. The $1,000 I mentioned was if I wanted to contest this amount and be reconsidered. I guess I was somewhat in shock at the amount I am to receive, and I misread it. I contacted the attorney twice and he said it was all good. I will not contest it. I will just have to wait to see the first check, it is supposed to come in installments. If I do not get a cent, then I am no worse off. If I was to receive $10 million, it would not take me back in time to change any thing, it would not erase my memories or heal the emotional scars I have, and I am 72 years old. Wishing you well,

I am part of the lawsuit against the BSA. My Scout Master was a fine man. I liked him, respected him and learned from him. My abuser was another Scout. An older, bigger Scout who was an helper/assistant to our Scout Master. He held our merit badges and promotions over us plus threatened the four of us if we did not comply or told on him. We were afraid of him. The Boy Scouts DID NOT hurt me, another Scout did. I attribute my love of the woods, and camping to the Scouts. I have tent camped all over North AL, North GA, Eastern TN and Western NC. Today, due to my heart and Lupus, camping is renting a log cabin. Anyway, I received an email with a specific dollar amount I am to receive. I did not join this law suit for money. My wife of 30 years, and I are financially fine. I joined to add my voice and possibly have input to prevent this from happening again. This email had 4 pdf attachments and had this: "The deadline to submit a Reconsideration Request along with your $1,000.00 administrative fee on your claim is March 15, 2025". Is this legitimate? Has anyone received this? Today, it's hard to know whether something like this is a scam or not. Thank y'all, Southern Kudzu