The deadline for survivors of sexual abuse to register their claims with the Diocese of Erie's Independent Survivors' Reparations Program (ISRP) is rapidly approaching. All claims must be registered by Friday, May 31, 2019.
Anyone sexually abused as a child by a Diocese of Erie priest or a lay employee in the Diocese of Erie is eligible to receive compensation from the ISRP regardless of how many years ago the abuse occurred. This includes anyone harmed by non-clergy such as teachers, coaches, school administrators, and music ministers. This opens the fund to a broader group of claimants than similar funds in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The ISRP is administered by a neutral third party, meaning that each claim is evaluated independently by a mediation firm, not by the Diocese of Erie itself, to determine the appropriate compensation for victims. The claims are generally resolved on a timeline that is much shorter than traditional litigation, and the process is completely confidential.
The voluntary settlement fund is currently the only vehicle for most survivors of sexual abuse to take action against the Diocese of Erie for what happened to them as children. Pennsylvania's restrictive statute of limitations makes filing a lawsuit impossible in most cases.
Once the fund closes, most survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Erie will have no other legal recourse unless there is a major change in Pennsylvania's statutes of limitations. Due to the significant amount of time required to prepare the claims form, it is important to contact an attorney right away to begin the claims process.
The deadline for filing claims with the ISRP is May 31, 2019, so if you are a survivor of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Erie, please contact us now to discuss your options. You can reach us at (954) 641-2100 or at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com.