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	Diocese Sues for Sex Abuse Payment By Adrian Angelette The Advocate [Baton Rouge LA] September 20, 2006 http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/3959756.html A lawsuit filed by the Diocese of Baton Rouge sheds light on one of the cases it settled with a former altar boy who claims he was molested by a former priest. The diocese says in a lawsuit filed Monday against its ex-insurance carrier, Lloyd's of London, that former altar boy Patrick Myers received $72,000 to settle his case with the diocese. The diocese wants reimbursement from the insurance carrier. According to the lawsuit, Lloyd's of London was the diocese's insurance carrier from 1980 through 1982. The policy was for liability claims arising out of negligence. The diocese maintains that Lloyd's of London participated in the negotiations that resulted in the settlement and approved the settlement terms, the lawsuit says. "The Diocese of Baton Rouge, in accordance with its contract with Lloyd's of London, paid $72,000 to Patrick Myers," the suit says. The diocese also is seeking to recover $1,406.35 in attorney fees in the case. The suit says the diocese forwarded all necessary information to the insurance carrier on Sept. 15, 2005. The diocese has been in contact with the insurance company and has been assured that the claim is being processed, but no payment has been received. "In spite of repeated demand upon its insurer … Lloyd's of London has failed and refused to pay this claim," the lawsuit says. "Consequently, Lloyd's of London is in bad faith and is responsible for reasonable attorney's fees, penalties, legal interest and court costs" involved with the lawsuit against Lloyd's. Myers was the first of 11 former altar boys who filed suit against the diocese in recent years complaining of being molested by former priest Christopher Springer. All the other altar boys have remained anonymous. Six of those former altar boys have settled their lawsuits with the diocese. Terms of the settlements have remained confidential. The claims of abuse cover a time span between 1968 and the early 1980s. The latest claims against Springer and the diocese were filed in August by two men. One, who lives in New York City, claims he was molested while an altar boy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Maringouin. The other, who lives in Baker, says he was abused by Springer while at St. Isadore Mission of St. Gerard Parish in Baton Rouge. All the altar boys are represented by attorney Felecia Peavy of Houston. In each case the men claim that the sexual abuse has caused severe psychological problems; many of them have undergone years of counseling, their suits say. Diocese attorney Charles Cusimano has said repeatedly that the diocese investigates each case on an individual basis and offers assistance to those whose complaints are determined to have substance. Springer is one of six priests removed in the past after complaints of sexual abuse were lodged against them. Springer has not been a priest for more than 20 years and there are no priests working in the Baton Rouge diocese who have been accused of sexual abuse, Cusimano has said.
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