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By Benjamin C. Klein
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WENY) — A partial settlement between sex abuse survivors and the Diocese of Rochester, Parishes and two insurance companies worth more than $75 million was announced last week by attorney’s representing the victims.
The settlement splits financial responsibility at $55 million from the Diocese and parishes and $20.6 million from two of the diocese’s insurers, LMI and LMI Underwriters.
“This deal gets survivors some partial accountability for the heinous misdeeds of the Diocese,” said attorney Jeff Anderson in a prepared statement, adding, “It is far from a full and fair measure.”
The settlement is not final yet as it still needs to be approved by the bankruptcy court and voted on by roughly 475 survivors involved in the case. The Diocese of Rochester was the first diocese in New York to file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy following the passage of the New York Child Victims Act.
“This is a major step forward for these courageous survivors, but it’s not the end of the fight,” said attorney Steve Boyd.
The settlement will still allow survivors to sue insurance companies who could face hundreds of millions of dollars in legal exposure.
“The real villains are the insurance companies that continue to deny and delay,” said Anderson in a prepared statement, adding, “We and the survivors are marching together to break the insurance hardball stand.”
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