BishopAccountability.org
	Deadline Set for Abuse Claims By Paul A. Long Cincinnati Post [Covington KY] August 9, 2005 Those who were abused by priests or other workers in the Diocese of Covington over the past 50 years have until Nov. 10 to make their claim, according to official claim forms now available. Anyone who fills out the form will be added to a class-action lawsuit settlement reached after years of negotiations with the diocese. The settlement calls for claimants to be paid up to at least $40 million - and up to $120 million if the diocese is successful in a lawsuit seeking to make its insurance carriers responsible for damage claims. The forms, available online or by mail, ask people to name their abuser, and when and where the abuse occurred. Attorneys for the class stress that the information will remain confidential. They also stress, however, that simply filing out the form will not guarantee a person will receive money from the settlement. The money will be distributed depending on the extent and nature of the abuse. Those who can prove their abuse claim will be eligible for $5,000 to $550,000. Special Judge John Potter, who has overseen the lawsuit filed in Boone Circuit Court, has given preliminary approval to the plan. He has set a final hearing on its for Jan. 9, 2006. Anyone who objects to the settlement must do so in writing by Dec. 19. Stan Chesley, the Cincinnati attorney who is the lead lawyer for the class-action lawsuit, already has begun publishing notice of the agreement in state and local papers. Eventually, the notices will be published in all publications in the 57 Kentucky counties that were or are part of the Diocese of Covington. The claim form is available on the web at http://www.covingtonkydioceseabuse.com/PDFs/050722-ConfCensusForm.pdf. Forms may also be obtained from the law firm or Waite, Schneider, Bayless & Chesley at One West Fourth St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.