October 1, 2024
Contact: press@justice4survivors.com, (203) 641-6681
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CASE ADDS TO GROWING LIST OF LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT PROFIT BY REFUSING TO PAY CLAIMS IN CHILD SEX ABUSE CASES
NEW YORK, NY – A survivor of child sexual abuse identified as “Jonah Doe” filed a lawsuit against Aetna Insurance Company and Federal Insurance Company – both subsidiaries of insurance giant Chubb for refusing to settle claims under the Child Victims Act. Chubb has a long history of ignoring New York State law, refusing to pay out claims, undermining survivors, and standing in the way of justice. The lawsuit is the latest action filed against insurers refusing to pay claims in childhood sexual abuse cases, including cases involving the religious institutions like the Archdiocese of New York, Archdiocese of San Francisco, hospitals like Rockefeller University Hospital, school districts like the Los Angeles Unified School District, and others.
In response, 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 statements:
“Childhood sexual abuse survivors are being constantly revictimized by insurance industry greed and regulatory failures to uphold the very legislation that was passed to protect us,” said Stephen Jimenez, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and longtime advocate, author, and journalist. “Chubb has left no doubt that they would rather see more survivors die before paying out another dollar in claims. It’s time for the Department of Financial Services to uphold the guidance they issued five years ago and give restitution to survivors, before it’s too late.”
“This case adds another brave voice to the fight against these egregious, predatory insurers,” said Dave Catalfamo, Executive Director of the CJCC. “We will continue to fight alongside survivors until all insurers are held accountable and comply with the letter of the law. It’s beyond time for survivors to receive the compensation they deserve.”
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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 author and journalist Stephen Jimenez, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and longtime advocate who helped pass the Child Victims Act (CVA), and 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.