The one New York diocese still in process
The Diocese of Buffalo filed for Chapter 11 in February 2020 and its case remains
open. A settlement of $326 million covering roughly 900 survivors has been proposed and
is awaiting court confirmation.
Proposed is not final. Buffalo is not Rockville Centre, where the plan is
confirmed, and it is not Syracuse, which has emerged. Anyone treating the New York diocesan
bankruptcies as one story will get Buffalo wrong.
Why timing matters more here
An open bankruptcy has live dates set by the court rather than by ordinary limitation rules,
and terms that can still change. For a Buffalo claim that is a genuine reason to ask sooner, not pressure, just the reality of a case that is still moving. See
Diocese of Buffalo claims.
Local detail that shapes a claim here
| Local detail | Who or what |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Police | Buffalo Police Department / Erie County Sheriff |
| Hospital system | Kaleida Health |
| Hospital system | Catholic Health System |
| Hospital system | Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) |
| University | University at Buffalo (SUNY) |
| University | Canisius University |
| University | Buffalo State University |
| Local crisis support | Crisis Services 24-Hour Hotline, 716-834-3131 |
| Diocese | Diocese of Buffalo, $326 million PROPOSED, still awaiting court confirmation as of mid-2026; covers roughly 900 survivors ($150M from the diocese and Catholic entities, remainder from insurers) |
| Institutional litigation | Diocese of Buffalo Chapter 11, six-year bankruptcy, $326M proposed settlement pending confirmation, ~900 Child Victims Act claims |
Support in Buffalo
If what you need now is support rather than a lawyer, see
survivor resources, including the RAINN hotline on
1-800-656-4673. Those services are free and independent of this
firm.
Time limits in New York depend on how old you were, who was responsible and the particular facts. There is no single deadline that applies to everyone. Ask rather than assume. It is a free call.
Should I wait until the bankruptcy finishes?
Generally not. An open case has live, court-set dates, and waiting can mean missing them. That is a reason to ask now rather than a reason to hurry a decision.
Was my parish part of the diocesan filing?
Not all entities are covered by a diocesan filing. Parishes, schools and orders can sit outside it, which affects the route entirely.
Does the proposed figure tell me what I would receive?
No. It is a proposed total across roughly 900 survivors, it is not yet confirmed, and individual outcomes vary with the facts.