KENTUCKY
Kentucky.com
DYLAN T. LOVAN
Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington and alleged victims of abuse negotiated more than a year to reach a blockbuster $120 million settlement, but whether that figure holds up depends on yet another legal battle.
The diocese is now suing three insurers that have been asked to kick in $80 million of the settlement fund, which if approved by a judge, would be the nation's largest.
The church's insurers aren't likely to hand over millions without a fight, according to one attorney who won a multimillion-dollar award from another Kentucky diocese.
"The $80 million is certainly not a certainty," said Bill McMurry, attorney for abuse victims who won a $25.7 million settlement with the Archdiocese of Louisville two years ago. "Given my experience and knowledge of these cases around the country, I would be surprised if all the insurance companies involved just throw $80 million into this fund."
Posted by kshaw at June 8, 2005 07:09 PM