Insurers Stall Payment of Abuse Claims

By William Murphy

Published on July 25, 2006

The companies also have yet to pay a $7.5 million settlement reached in 2003 with 46 other alleged victims. The insurers say they need to take statements from more than 100 people before they can assess claims and make payments.

On July 20 Judge John Agostini ruled that the 36 alleged abuse victims involved in the current dispute would not have to give statements until all other depositions related to the case have been completed.

Attorney John Stobierski applauded the judge's ruling, saying that he admired the judge's compassion for the alleged victims. Stobierski, who is representing about half the plaintiffs in the pending cases, said that several of his clients could not bear the anguish of having to undergo continued questioning about the abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of priests.

Judge Agostini set a March 31 deadline for completion of all depositions, warning attorneys that they should use the time they have carefully because an extension of the deadline would be unlikely.

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