As of Class Counsel's January 28, 2008 update to their website, 157 claims out of 399 had been denied.
This amounts to an approximately 40% denial rate.
As class counsel has not updated their website for 7 months, it is unknown what the denial rate currently stands at.
Given that any monies that are not dispersed to the class members are returned to the church (or the insurance companies), the denial rate bears close examination.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Diocese of Covington Class Action
A quick fact about the class action suit against the Diocese of Covington.
One of the Special Masters in the case, William Burleigh (who was a major player at E.W. Scripps newspapers), served on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Review Board regarding sexual abuse with Paul McHugh, a member of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation ("FMSF"). The fact that Burleigh served so closely with such a controversial figure was never disclosed to class members. For those of us who suffer from recovered memories, this was a major omission of fact given that the FMSF is a political organization whose views on the unreliability of recovered memories has largely been discounted by leading psychiatrists in the field of recoverd memories (and the psychiatric community at large).
Despite being assured my claim was a strong one by Ann Oldfather who interviewed me, about a year after I submitted my claim form to Class Counsel, I was contacted because they had "serious concerns" about my claim form. The "serious concerns" amounted to Class Counsel wanting one word changed in the claim form. I was also informed by Class Counsel that my claim would likely be rejected because "they are denying all claims dealing with recovered memories." Still, Burleigh's service with McHugh was not disclosed to me. I discovered it only while preparing my appeal after my claim had been denied. When I presented this to Class Counsel they said "Oh, they have approved two claims dealing with recovered memories." The next time this issue was mentioned by Class Counsel, that number magically changed to one case.
It was suggested by Class Counsel that my claim be submitted along with a request to appear in person before Special Masters Burleigh and Thomas Lambros. The Special Masters never responded to that request and simply denied my claim many months later.
To this day, I have serious questions as to whether any claims in this class action having a recovered memory aspect have been approved. If your case involved recovered memories and your claim was approved (or denied) please let me know. Also, you may want to do some google searching on McHugh who has a dubious history with respect to sexual abusers of children.
All contacts are kept confidential if you so desire.
One of the Special Masters in the case, William Burleigh (who was a major player at E.W. Scripps newspapers), served on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Review Board regarding sexual abuse with Paul McHugh, a member of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation ("FMSF"). The fact that Burleigh served so closely with such a controversial figure was never disclosed to class members. For those of us who suffer from recovered memories, this was a major omission of fact given that the FMSF is a political organization whose views on the unreliability of recovered memories has largely been discounted by leading psychiatrists in the field of recoverd memories (and the psychiatric community at large).
Despite being assured my claim was a strong one by Ann Oldfather who interviewed me, about a year after I submitted my claim form to Class Counsel, I was contacted because they had "serious concerns" about my claim form. The "serious concerns" amounted to Class Counsel wanting one word changed in the claim form. I was also informed by Class Counsel that my claim would likely be rejected because "they are denying all claims dealing with recovered memories." Still, Burleigh's service with McHugh was not disclosed to me. I discovered it only while preparing my appeal after my claim had been denied. When I presented this to Class Counsel they said "Oh, they have approved two claims dealing with recovered memories." The next time this issue was mentioned by Class Counsel, that number magically changed to one case.
It was suggested by Class Counsel that my claim be submitted along with a request to appear in person before Special Masters Burleigh and Thomas Lambros. The Special Masters never responded to that request and simply denied my claim many months later.
To this day, I have serious questions as to whether any claims in this class action having a recovered memory aspect have been approved. If your case involved recovered memories and your claim was approved (or denied) please let me know. Also, you may want to do some google searching on McHugh who has a dubious history with respect to sexual abusers of children.
All contacts are kept confidential if you so desire.
Earl Bierman Photos
For those who may be looking for photos of Earl Bierman which are contemporaneous with their abuse. The pictures were provided to me by Fr. Kriege of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, upon my request in 1997 or so. Fr. Kriege was the priest put in charge of receiving reports of past abuse by priests of the Diocese of Covington. The dates noted are from the backs of the photos which I returned to the Diocese after scanning them years ago.
Bierman - 1967
Bierman circa 1973 -
Bierman circa 1981 -
Bierman - 1967
Bierman circa 1973 -
Bierman circa 1981 -
Friday, August 29, 2008
About Diocesan Spin
As a member of the Class in the case of Doe v. the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, who feels that Bishop Foys' promises of making things rights for the victims of past sexual abuse are disingenuous and have been nothing more than PR spin to benefit a beleaguered diocese, I started this blog to present not only the facts of my case but the cases of any others who feel the same.
So if you want to call Bishop Foys on his bullshit, or if you want to point out how Diocesan Attorney Carrie Huff has been allowed to litigate claims behind closed doors under the guise of class anonymity, drop me an email.
All comments here are moderated and I reserve the right to post or not post comments at my own discretion. If you would like to contact me directly, you can email me (go to my profile). All correspondence and identities are kept strictly confidential if you so desire it (and will be the default unless you happen to post a comment under your own name). Any comments posted by others are their own comments and I do not claim to agree or disagree with any viewpoint proffered by others. Each individual who contributes to the comments in this blog are responsible for their own statements.
For those of us who were looking for peace, for a sense of closure that was promised during this class action and have been denied it, I say it is time to stand up and make noise. This diocese and Bishop Foys made promises to us. They are promises he has not kept and he should be held accountable for each and every claim that has been unjustly denied. It is time the truth be told about this Class suit by those who have been hurt the most by it. Why should Bishop Foys be lauded in newspapers when so much is wrong with this case?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
-P. Bens
So if you want to call Bishop Foys on his bullshit, or if you want to point out how Diocesan Attorney Carrie Huff has been allowed to litigate claims behind closed doors under the guise of class anonymity, drop me an email.
All comments here are moderated and I reserve the right to post or not post comments at my own discretion. If you would like to contact me directly, you can email me (go to my profile). All correspondence and identities are kept strictly confidential if you so desire it (and will be the default unless you happen to post a comment under your own name). Any comments posted by others are their own comments and I do not claim to agree or disagree with any viewpoint proffered by others. Each individual who contributes to the comments in this blog are responsible for their own statements.
For those of us who were looking for peace, for a sense of closure that was promised during this class action and have been denied it, I say it is time to stand up and make noise. This diocese and Bishop Foys made promises to us. They are promises he has not kept and he should be held accountable for each and every claim that has been unjustly denied. It is time the truth be told about this Class suit by those who have been hurt the most by it. Why should Bishop Foys be lauded in newspapers when so much is wrong with this case?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
-P. Bens
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
