April 23, 2024
Contact: press@justice4survivors.com, (201) 663-5746
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RULING RISKS MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICYHOLDERS ACROSS INSURANCE INDUSTRY
NEW YORK, NY (April 23rd) – In response to today’s decision by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York concerning the ongoing litigation between Century Indemnity Company and the Archdiocese of New York, the Coalition for Just and Compassionate Compensation (“CJCC”) – an independent alliance of survivors of child sex abuse, their representatives, and advocates seeking full restitution for survivors of child sex abuse – released the following statement:
“Today’s Appellate Court ruling represents the absolute opposite of the spirit of the Child Victims Act – and puts virtually every single Child Victims Act case covered by an insurance company at risk,” said David Catalfamo, Executive Director of the CJCC. “The entire insurance industry exists because any development could be theoretically expected or intended – people with flood insurance only buy it because a flood is expected. If upheld, the Appellate Court’s alarming ruling could allow insurers to deny claims to policyholders beyond sexual abuse cases – putting virtually anyone with an insurance policy at risk.
The longer this case drags out, the more survivors of sexual abuse – many of whom are well into their 70s and 80s – will not be around to be awarded compensation and closure. This ruling all but confirms that CVA cases will drag onwards for a decade or longer, meaning that many survivors won’t live to see restitution – a fact that only benefits the insurers like CHUBB who won’t have to pay out their claims.”
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The Coalition for Just and Compassionate Compensation (“CJCC”) is an independent alliance of survivors of child sex abuse, their representatives, and advocates seeking full restitution for survivors of child sex abuse. Among members of the coalition are attorneys James Marsh, Founding Partner at Marsh Law Firm, Jeff Herman, Founder of Herman Law Firm, and Hillary Nappi, Partner at Hach Rose Schirripa & Cheverie, who represent thousands of sexual abuse survivors in litigation against public and private entities.