COVINGTON (KY)
Kentucky Post
By Mark Hansel
Post staff reporter
Special Judge John Potter told attorneys Friday in a class action lawsuit over abuse of children by priests of the Diocese of Covington that he wants a census to determine the number and severity of the plaintiffs' claims.
The diocese announced a week ago that it had agreed to pay up to $120 million to settle the suit. On Thursday, however, Potter refused to approve the deal, saying only $40 million of the money was secured. The diocese is suing its insurance companies to secure the other $80 million.
The census will require each alleged victim to submit a form with detailed information of the abuse claim, including the school or church involved, the time period and the name of the offender.
In his ruling Thursday, Potter pointed to several factors that combine to make the lawsuit unique from other class action cases. Among them: the significant differences in the members' claims and the fact that the existence and nature of some claims can be known only if members come forward voluntarily.
Posted by kshaw at June 11, 2005 07:50 AM