Louisville Could Be Model for Cincinnati Abuse Cases

The settlement of clergy abuse claims in Louisville may be a model for the tribunal trying to resolve claims in Cincinnati.

Although some circumstances are different - Cincinnati's fund has $3 million, compared to $25 million in Louisville - the criteria used there to evaluate claims also could be applied to abuse cases here.

In Louisville's system, developed by Cincinnati attorney Matthew Garretson, victims are ranked in three categories based on the severity of abuse.

Each category has a settlement range that allows some flexibility on final payment:

Category 1 - Includes cases involving lewd behavior, sexual comments and non-genital touching, and all cases in which the victim was an adult at the time of abuse. Settlement range: $15,333 to $30,000.

Category 2 - Includes cases involving genital touching, masturbation and similar intrusive acts. Settlement range: $75,750 to $110,000.

Category 3 - Includes cases involving contact that, under the law, would typically be regarded as rape. Settlement range: $150,750 to $175,000.