Halifax Boy Scout Abuse Lawyers

Seeking Compensation for Boy Scout Abuse Survivors Throughout Canada

Many young people joined Scouts Canada because they wanted to develop the crucial skills needed to grow into well-rounded, successful adults. This program was supposed to teach young people leadership skills and allow them to make meaningful memories with their peers. Unfortunately, smarmy Scout Leaders used their position of authority within the organization to abuse minors under their care.

An independent investigation revealed that Scouts Canada had concealed dozens of cases of sexual abuse within the organization that dated as far back as the 1950s. The investigation also revealed that Boy Scouts Canada did not do anything to stop Scout leaders from preying on these vulnerable survivors.

If you have been sexually abused by a member of the Scouts Canada organization, you may be entitled to compensation. Speak to the Boy Scout abuse lawyers at McKiggan Hebert Lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your rights and legal options.

What Are Your Legal Options As A Survivor of Boy Scout Abuse?

If you have been abused by a member of the Scouts Canada organization, it’s essential to know your options. There are two main options for survivors of sexual abuse, which are:

• Seek compensation and damages for the harms and losses caused by sexual abuse
• Pursue criminal charges

Compensation Claims

Compensation claim: Your other option is filing a compensation claim with help from our experienced sexual abuse lawyers in Halifax. The purpose of a compensation claim is not to determine whether or not the defendant is guilty of committing a crime. Instead, it is to determine whether or not the defendant caused harm and should compensate the survivor. Pursuing a compensation claim can help sexual abuse survivors recover compensation for the suffering they have experienced, cover the costs of ongoing counselling, and replace the income they lost as a result of the abuse. In a compensation claim, the defendant will not face jail time or legal penalties. Keep this in mind when deciding which option you should choose.

Simply put, criminal charges are about punishing the abuser. Civil compensation claims are about compensating the survivor for the harm they have suffered.

How Much Time Do Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Survivors Have to Take Legal Action in Nova Scotia?

For most types of compensation claims, there are laws in place that set a time limit on when plaintiffs have to take legal action. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

But it’s important to know that the time limit to file a compensation claim does not apply to sexual abuse claims! In Nova Scotia and every Province and Territory in Canada, the statute of limitations (the time to file a lawsuit) has changed. There is now no time limit to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for harm or injuries caused by sexual abuse.

Thanks to this law, sexual abuse survivors can file a compensation claim against their abusers (and the institutions that allowed the abuse to happen) long after the sexual abuse occurred. Survivors of abuse now have the time they need to cope with the trauma of abuse and come forward and seek justice.

Criminal Charges

Pursuing criminal charges may ensure that your abuser faces punishment for their actions and cannot hurt other children. If you want to take this route, you must contact the police and provide a statement explaining what happened to you. The police will conduct an investigation. If the police discover evidence that supports that a crime occurred, they will pass the case to the Crown Prosecutor’s office.

The Crown prosecutor will determine whether to bring criminal charges against your abuser after reviewing the evidence and your statement. If the prosecutor files charges, your abuser may face severe penalties if found guilty in court.

One thing to note is that the Crown Prosecutor makes decisions about the court process. That means you do not have control over whether the charges will proceed or not. Pursuing criminal charges may be the right option if your primary concern is to make sure your abuser is punished for their actions. However, in many cases of historical abuse, the abuser is dead, so the police cannot file criminal charges. What happens then?

Why File a Civil Lawsuit for Boy Scout Abuse?

Filing a civil lawsuit for compensation can help survivors of Boy Scout abuse pursue justice, even if criminal charges are not possible. A civil lawsuit allows survivors to seek financial compensation for their damages, harms, and losses. This compensation can help cover the costs of:

• Therapy and counselling
• Lost income
• Psychological and emotional pain and suffering
• Medical expenses related to the abuse

A compensation claim can help survivors rebuild their lives and gain access to the resources they need to heal.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Boy Scout Abuse Case?

Several parties may be held liable in a Boy Scout abuse case, including:

• The individual abuser
• Scouts Canada as an organization
• Supervisors who failed to report suspected abuse

Holding all responsible parties accountable is crucial to ensuring survivors receive the justice they deserve.

What Evidence Is Needed in a Boy Scout Abuse Case?

Evidence can play a vital role in supporting a survivor’s claim. This may include:

• Statements from the survivor: The survivor’s account of the abuse provides a detailed narrative and helps establish key facts and timelines.
• Witness testimony: Testimony from individuals who observed the abuse or its aftermath can corroborate the survivor’s claims and strengthen their case.
• Medical records: Medical documentation of injuries or conditions related to the abuse offers physical evidence of harm and supports the survivor’s claims.
• Psychological evaluations: Professional assessments of the survivor’s mental health can highlight the emotional and psychological toll of the abuse, reinforcing its impact.
• Documentation of the abuse by the organization: Records from the organization that show knowledge or failure to address the abuse can prove negligence or complicity, bolstering the survivor’s case.

How McKiggan Hebert Supports Boy Scout Abuse Survivors

At McKiggan Hebert, we understand how difficult it can be to come forward with your story. Our compassionate lawyers are committed to supporting survivors every step of the way. We offer confidential consultations and trauma-informed legal representation. We provide support in connecting our clients with counselling services and keep you informed with regular updates on the progress of your case.

What Compensation Can Boy Scout Abuse Survivors Receive?

Survivors may be eligible to recover compensation for various damages under Canadian law, including economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages are intended to cover tangible financial losses that result from the abuse, such as:

• Loss of income: If the abuse has impacted the survivor’s ability to work temporarily or permanently, compensation may cover lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
• Medical bills: This can include the cost of medical treatment related to physical injuries sustained during the abuse or ongoing health issues that require care.
• Therapy and counselling services: Survivors often require extensive psychological support to cope with the trauma, and compensation can help cover the costs of therapy, counselling, and other mental health services.

Non-economic damages address the emotional and psychological harm that survivors endure, including:

• Emotional distress: The severe emotional suffering and mental anguish caused by the abuse, which can have long-lasting impacts on the survivor’s well-being.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain experienced as a result of the abuse.
• Reduced enjoyment of life: If the abuse has affected the survivor’s ability to engage in activities they once enjoyed, they may be entitled to compensation for this loss.

Canadian courts recognize the profound impact of sexual abuse and assess compensation based on the unique circumstances of each case. The lawyers at McKiggan Hebert will work closely with survivors to ensure that all economic and non-economic damages are thoroughly documented and pursued.

The Emotional Impact of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects on survivors. These impacts may include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress
• Difficulty forming relationships

Is There a Limit to Compensation I Can Receive?

In short, there are no limits on the amount or type of damages you can claim for and recover for sexual abuse.

Some provinces, including Nova Scotia, have a cap on the amount of compensation you can recover for “pain and suffering”. It’s important for sexual abuse survivors to know that this cap does not apply to cases of sexual abuse. Courts assess compensation based on each case’s unique circumstances, considering economic and non-economic damages.

McKiggan Hebert Lawyers Investigating Potential Boy Scout Abuse Claims Across Canada

McKiggan Hebert Lawyers has been retained to pursue possible Boy Scout abuse claims against Boy Scouts Canada for potential claims involving the following former scout leaders:

• Douglas Haig
• Bernard (Bernie) Philips
• Court Howe
• John Glover
• Keith Ambrose
• George Totten
• John Garby
• Robert Dennehy
• John Perry
• Kevin Allen
• Rick Turley
• Mark White
• David Wolfe
• Karl Toft

Schedule A Free Confidential Consultation With Our Boy Scout Abuse Lawyers in Halifax

Are you a survivor of Boy Scout sexual abuse? If so, seek legal representation from the compassionate lawyers at McKiggan Hebert as soon as possible. The lawyers at McKiggan Hebert have received national recognition for their work on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse. We have extensive experience handling cases involving child sexual abuse committed by  Scouts Canada Leaders. We aim to help you recover the compensation you deserve for the trauma you have experienced.

Breaking the Silence about Sexual Abuse

John McKiggan has written a public legal education guide specifically for survivors of sexual abuse. Click on the link to get a free copy of Breaking the Silence: the Survivor’s Guide to Sexual Abuse Claims.

Learn more about your legal rights as a survivor of abuse by scheduling a free consultation with our team of Boy Scout abuse lawyers. To book your free consultation, call (902) 706 – 2298 or fill out the form on this website.