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.

During our town hall meeting with Survivors, and throughout this bankruptcy, the Committee has heard a number of concerns about why this bankruptcy case is taking so long to reach a settlement. The Committee shares these concerns. One major obstacle has been the Archdiocese’s claim that it has legal immunity (what is called “charitable immunity” in Maryland). “Immunity” would mean that the Church is not required to pay Survivors any money, and so any settlement would be a gift or an amount paid by the Archdiocese on its own terms. This position is unacceptable to the Committee for many reasons.

To address the Archdiocese’s unacceptable position, the Committee filed a lawsuit asking the Bankruptcy Court to overrule the Archdiocese’s immunity defense. Recently, the Committee laid out its legal case in a motion for summary judgment. If the Committee succeeds, we are hopeful this case will move towards a prompt resolution, and Survivors will be able to negotiate with the Archdiocese in a less one-sided way.

If the Bankruptcy Court disagrees with the Committee’s position on immunity, then the Committee has asked that the Court dismiss the bankruptcy case. The Committee, comprised of seven Survivors, did not make this decision lightly. Instead, in a world where the Archdiocese is immune from Survivors’ claims, the Committee considered that the bankruptcy process likely causes more delay and harm to Survivors and cannot provide them with a fair outcome.

To be clear, the Committee has not given up hope that this bankruptcy process can be resolved and reach a fair settlement for Survivors. Instead, the Committee has requested that the bankruptcy be dismissed only if the Archdiocese is found to be immune from paying Survivors any monetary damages. In that limited case, the Committee believes bankruptcy is the wrong place to reach a resolution.

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.

A Survivor in New York was recently awarded $30 million by Supreme Court Justice Meagan K. Galligan.  Represented by Pfau Cochran Vertitis Amala, the Survivor was abused at a Boy Scout Camp by the defendant who was unlawfully posing as a doctor.   Details of this case can be read via this link.  Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  From that article, Ben Watson an attorney representing the Survivor commented “This verdict is a major victory for Mr. Pringle and for survivors across New York.  It also sends a clear message to any individual or institution that believes they can get away with the sexual abuse of children: the law will hold you accountable.”

In what is a victory for all Survivors who find themselves part of a Diocese bankruptcy, a Survivor abused by a Diocese of Winona NY priest has been awarded $7.6 million by a jury.  This is an important development because the defendant in the lawsuit was US Fire Insurance, an insurer who chose not to settle with the Official Committee of Survivors in the Winona bankruptcy.  Now, that insurer is liable for this settlement and the costs associated with its defense.  Further information regarding the Winona decision can be found at Survivor Abused by Diocese of Winona Priest Sees Victory in the Courtroom, Awarded $7.6 Million – Jeff Anderson and Associates

Adversary Proceeding: In April 2025, the Committee filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese in an action that is proceeding parallel to the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy case. This parallel action (also known as an “adversary proceeding”) was filed by the Committee to specifically address the issue of charitable immunity. In Maryland, the doctrine of charitable immunity acts as a bar to recovery of any Archdiocese assets that were received by way of charitable donations. The Committee is seeking a finding from the court that charitable immunity will not preclude such available assets to Survivors in the bankruptcy case. Recently, a scheduling order was entered that dictates the timeline for this proceeding. If the parties proceed to trial, the scheduling order contemplates that trial will take place in December 2025. The timeline is subject to change and depends on how the case progresses.

The Official Committee of Survivors of Sexual Abuse is fully engaged in this bankruptcy and would like to share this case update:

1. Survivor Impact Statements: In 2024, fourteen Survivors presented their impact statements before Judge Harner and in the presence of the Archbishop. The statements were powerful and extremely effective in increasing engagement and understanding by the Archdiocese and Judge. The Committee recently made a request for a third Survivor statement hearing before the court. The Archdiocese responded to the Committee’s request asking that the hearing be held closer to the end of the case and that only certain Survivors with bankruptcy claims against the Archdiocese be permitted to be heard. The Committee objected to the Archdiocese’s request at a recent status conference.  The parties await the court’s decision. The Committee is hopeful that the court will schedule a third hearing to hear Survivor statements in the near future.  We will update this website when a decision is reached.

2. CVA Developments and Amendment: On April 3, 2025, the Maryland legislature passed an amendment to the Maryland Child Victim’s Act that changes the amount of maximum award available to Survivors. Specifically, the change reduced the amount Survivors can collect against a defendant, like the Archdiocese, from $1,500,000 to $700,000 for lawsuits filed after May 31, 2025. Soon after the amendment was passed, the Committee filed a motion requesting that the bankruptcy court clarify whether Survivors needed to sue the Archdiocese and its parishes to preserve the $1.5 million cap, if Survivors had already filed claims in the bankruptcy case. Judge Harner issued a decision that allowed Survivors to sue the Archdiocese, and all members of the Catholic enterprise (parishes, schools, etc.), in venues outside of the bankruptcy case. Many lawsuits were filed by May 31 and were initiated to preserve the $1.5 million cap.  These lawsuits will stay dormant while the bankruptcy case moves forward. This outcome was a victory for Survivors. If the Committee had not acted, Survivors could have lost at least $800,000,000 in recovery against the Archdiocese alone, and even more against its parishes and schools.

3. Survivor Website, Follow-Up Questions, Resources and Subscription: For additional information about the case, please refer to this website where you will find all the case updates, an overview of the bankruptcy process, as well as resources for Survivors. We hope that these resources will be helpful to you.  Also, on the top right of each webpage you’ll find a place to enter your email address and be informed when the website is updated.  Many Survivors have subscribed and report that it’s very helpful in staying updated and not having to check back repeatedly.  If you have any questions about the website or additional resources that you think would be helpful to other Survivors, please reach out to team member Doug Kennedy via doug.kennedy@stinson.com.

The Committee and its legal professionals with Stinson LLP understand that navigating this legal process can be challenging. The Committee remains fully committed in its dedication to fighting for Survivors and pursuing the best possible outcome. If you are a Survivor and are represented by an attorney, then they are best suited to discussing your individual case.  If you are not represented by an attorney, or simply have questions about the bankruptcy process, feel free to contact the Stinson team via Baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com with questions or concerns. 

The Committee appointed in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case to advocate on behalf of survivors has noted the election of a new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. This has raised concerns among some regarding his commitment to the prevention and investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. This article summarizes those concerns. The Committee wishes to acknowledge those concerns and share that it is fully committed to its work in this case to both achieve a financial settlement for survivors and the adoption of policies that will end sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.