Frequently Asked Questions

  1.   How and when will Claim Forms be available?
  2.   Why did I get Notice of this proposed Settlement?
  3.   What is a class action?
  4.   What is the class action about?
  5.   Why is there a proposed settlement?
WHO IS INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT?
  6.   Which individuals are included?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE SETTLEMENT?
  7.   What compensation will be paid under the proposed settlement if the Court approves it?
  8.   When will individuals receive compensation?
  9.   How will individuals receive compensation?
  10.   How will the lawyers be paid?
  11.   What am I giving up in the proposed settlement?
  12.   Can I remove myself from the proposed settlement?
WHO REPRESENTS ME?
  13.   Who are the lawyers representing me?
  14.   Do I have to pay class counsel?
  15.   What if I want my own lawyer?
HOW DO I OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT?
  16.   How do I tell the Court that I do not like the proposed settlement or the amounts paid to Class Counsel?
  17.   When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the proposed settlement?
  18.   Do I have to attend court to object?
  19.   May I speak at the hearing?
  20.   What if I do nothing?
WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?
  21.   What if I need more information?
Answers
  1.   How and when will Claim Forms be available?
  A.   Claim Forms will be available through a link to the online claims administration portal or on this website or by contacting the Claims Administrator if the Court approves the Settlement at the Settlement Approval Hearing on June 15th and 16th, 2022.
     It is very important that Class Members visit this website on a regular basis for updates.
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  2.   Why did I get Notice of this proposed Settlement?
  A.   The Court approved this Notice to let you know about the proposed Settlement and your options before the Court decides whether to approve the Settlement.
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  3.   What is a class action?
  A.   In a class action, one or more people called “Plaintiffs” or “Representative Plaintiffs” sue on behalf of people who have similar claims. All of those people are called a “Class” or “Class Members”. The courts resolve the issues for everyone affected.
     The Representative Plaintiffs in this case are Jane Doe (#7), John Doe (#10) and John Doe (#11). The lawyers for the Class (“Class Counsel”) are Morris Martin Moore of Mount Pearl. The Representative Plaintiffs are identified by pseudonyms, but you can contact them by writing to the Claims Administrator at the address below.
     The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is the Defendant in the class action.
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  4.   What is the class action about?
  A.   The Representative Plaintiffs allege that the Province was responsible for sexual abuse at the hands of staff, volunteers, or other residents at the Institutions. Sexual abuse may include:
    
  • sexual assault by staff, volunteers, and other residents;
  • beatings where the young person was naked or partially naked;
  • detention while naked or partially naked; and
  • sexually derogatory language.
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  5.   Why is there a proposed settlement?
  A.   The Representative Plaintiffs and the Province have agreed to a proposed settlement. By agreeing to a proposed settlement, the parties avoid the costs and uncertainties of a trial and delays in obtaining judgment and Class members receive the benefits described in this notice (if the Court approves the proposed settlement).
     The Representative Plaintiffs and their lawyers believe that the proposed settlement is in the best interests of all Class Members.
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  6.   Which individuals are included?
  A.   Individuals are included in the Class if:
    
  1. they attended or resided at a youth secure custody institution, listed above, between May 1, 1973 to June 28, 1989;
  2. they experienced sexual abuse while attending or residing at the youth secure custody institution;
  3. they did not die before March 10, 2022;
  4. they have not already sued and received compensation;
  5. for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, they have not opted out of the class action; and
  6. for non-residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, they opted into the class action.
     Please contact the Claims Administrator, Trilogy Class Action Services, with any questions, or to register an objection:
     Newfoundland and Labrador Sex Abuse Class Action Class Administrators
117 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1000,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0
Tel (toll-free): 1-877-400-1211
Fax: 416-342-1761

www.NFLDsexabuseclassaction.ca
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  7.   What compensation will be paid under the proposed settlement if the Court approves it?
  A.   If the Settlement is approved, the Province will pay $12,500,000.00 to establish a settlement fund to compensate Class Members, pay class counsel’s legal fees and disbursements, and pay for the administration of the settlement. Additionally, the Province will pay up to $250,000.00 to provide notice of the settlement and up to $75,000.00 in honoraria for the Representative Plaintiffs.
     The net settlement funds will be divided between Class Members on the strength of their case and the magnitude of their damages, subject to a $500,000.00 cap on any Class Member’s claim.
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  8.   When will individuals receive compensation?
  A.   Nothing will be paid unless the Court approves the proposed settlement. Payment will be made to individuals one year after the settlement approval order becomes final.
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  9.   How will individuals receive compensation?
  A.   Individuals eligible for compensation must submit their claims to the Claims Administrator to receive payment. No claims forms will be available until the Court approves the proposed settlement.
     Individuals do not need to testify in front of a court to receive compensation. Individuals will have to attest, under penalty of perjury, that they were subjected to sexual misconduct during the class period. To be eligible for more money, individuals will have to describe in writing the sexual abuse they were subjected to and the effect it had on them. For the most serious sexual abuse, individuals may be interviewed about their experiences.
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  10.   How will the lawyers be paid?
  A.   The lawyers for the Class will be paid out of the settlement fund. The lawyers will not be paid until the Court decides that the fees requested are fair and reasonable. The Court will decide how much the lawyers should be paid.
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  11.   What am I giving up in the proposed settlement?
  A.   If the Court approves the settlement, you will give up your right to sue the Province for the claims resolved by the proposed settlement.
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  12.   Can I remove myself from the proposed settlement?
  A.   No. If you do not like the settlement, you must object before it is approved. If it is approved, you will not be able to remove yourself from the settlement even if you do not like it.
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  13.   Who are the lawyers representing me?
  A.   Class Counsel are Morris Martin Moore of Mount Pearl. You can contact them at:
     Morris Moore
184 Park Avenue
Mount Pearl, NL
A1N 1K8
Tel: (709)747-0077
Fax: (709)747-0104
www.mmmlawyers.com
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  14.   Do I have to pay class counsel?
  A.   Not directly. Class counsel will ask the Court to approve their fees. Class Counsel’s fees will be paid out of the settlement funds.
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  15.   What if I want my own lawyer?
  A.   If you want to hire your own lawyer, you may do so at your own expense.
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  16.   How do I tell the Court that I do not like the proposed settlement or the amounts paid to Class Counsel?
  A.   If you do not like some part of the proposed settlement, or you do not like Class Counsel’s fees and disbursements, or you do not like the honoraria for the Representative Plaintiffs, you may object. The Court will consider your views. To object, your must send the following information to the Claims Administrator at the address below:
    
  1. your name, address, phone number, and email address;
  2. a statement saying you object to the proposed settlement;
  3. the reasons you object to the proposed settlement; and
  4. your signature.
     The Claims Administrator must receive notice of your objection by June 8, 2022 to:
     Newfoundland and Labrador Sex Abuse Class Action Class Administrators
117 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1000,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0
Tel (toll-free): 1-877-400-1211
Fax: 416-342-1761

www.NFLDsexabuseclassaction.ca
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  17.   When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the proposed settlement?
  A.   The court will hold a hearing on June 15 and 16, 2022. You may attend in person at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s.
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  18.   Do I have to attend court to object?
  A.   No. If you send an objection to the Claims Administrator you do not have to talk about it in court. The Court will consider objections received in time even if you do not attend the hearing. You or your lawyer may attend in person at the hearing of the settlement approval application.
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  19.   May I speak at the hearing?
  A.   You may ask the Court for permission to speak at the hearing of the settlement approval application. To do so, you must give the Claims Administrator notice of your objection and indicate you wish to speak to the Court. The application to approve the settlement agreement will be heard on June 15 and 16, 2022.
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  20.   What if I do nothing?
  A.   Individuals who are eligible to participate in the proposed settlement who do nothing will be bound by the settlement if the Court approves it. Those individuals will be eligible for compensation but they will give up their right to object to the settlement.
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  21.   What if I need more information?
  A.   You may contact the Claims Administrator at:
     Newfoundland and Labrador Sex Abuse Class Action Class Administrators
117 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1000,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0
Tel (toll-free): 1-877-400-1211
Fax: 416-342-1761

www.NFLDsexabuseclassaction.ca
     You may contact Class Counsel at:
     Morris Moore
184 Park Avenue
Mount Pearl, NL
A1N 1K8
Tel: (709)747-0077
Fax: (709)747-0104
www.mmmlawyers.com
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