Maryland’s Child Victims Act: Defending and Pursuing Insurance Coverage for Abuse Claims

Gain a better understanding of how Maryland’s Child Victims Act is reshaping abuse litigation—and what institutions, insurers, and counsel must know to navigate revived claims and complex coverage disputes.

Following the passage of Maryland’s Child Victims Act (CVA), which reopened time-barred claims of child sexual abuse, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against schools, nonprofits, religious institutions, and other organizations that once had minors in their care. With insurance often serving as the primary source of funding for defense and compensation, both plaintiffs and defendants face complex coverage questions. 

This event examined the implications of the CVA, explore how institutions and insurers are responding, and discuss key considerations for managing litigation and maximizing available coverage. 
Learning Objectives 
  • Understand the key provisions and implications of Maryland’s Child Victims Act (CVA) and its effect on historic abuse claims. 
  • Review damages caps, charitable immunity defenses, and other statutory limitations under the CVA. 
  • Examine trends and judicial approaches in Maryland CVA litigation, including pretrial management and discovery issues. 
  • Identify liability exposures for institutions, schools, nonprofits, and religious organizations facing revived claims. 
  • Explore available coverage under CGL, D&O, SAM, and Umbrella insurance policies for abuse-related and negligent supervision claims. 
  • Learn best practices for providing notice and maintaining effective communication with insurers. 
  • Recognize insurer tactics and strategies for protecting policyholder interests in settlement and defense. 
  • Gain practical guidance on insurance archaeology and how to locate and reconstruct historic coverage.
TAKE IT NOW

Available now to West LegalEdcenter subscribers. Don't subscribe? Don't despair. Use code HB20 for 20% off. Or, HBSub20 for 20% off a full solo subscription. While supplies last.

Speakers

Cameron R. Argetsinger
Cameron R. ArgetsingerShareholder - Anderson Kill
Cameron R. Argetsinger is a Shareholder in the D.C. office of Anderson Kill. He focuses his practice on insurance recovery counseling and dispute resolution. Representing corporate policyholders in a broad range of insurance coverage disputes, including claims involving coverage for cyber liability, employment practices, antitrust, environmental contamination, flood and hurricanes, toxic substances and more. He received his JD from George Mason University School of Law and his BA from the College of William and Mary.
Brian Della Torre
Brian Della TorrePresident - Insurance Archaeology Group (IAG)
For over 20 years, Brian Della Torre has led research projects across industries, conducting document reviews at manufacturing sites, records centers, law firms, and courts nationwide. He has supported corporate due diligence by investigating insurance programs in mergers and acquisitions, and helped nonprofits, universities, hospitals, churches, and religious organizations reconstruct historic insurance coverage. Brian has completed hundreds of onsite reviews at churches, schools, missions, archives, and retreat centers.

He earned his B.A. in political science from American University and an M.A. in early modern political philosophy from the University of Chicago, where he focused on Machiavelli. He began his career on Capitol Hill with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Sean Gugerty
Sean GugertyPartner - Goodell Devries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Sean Gugerty is a partner at Goodell DeVries and co-chair of the Product Liability practice group. He defends clients in complex product liability and commercial litigation, including pharmaceutical manufacturers in state and federal courts, class actions, and multidistrict litigation.

He also represents healthcare providers, institutions, and schools in medical malpractice matters and claims under Maryland’s Child Victims Act. Sean has secured key litigation victories, including dismissal of all claims against Generic Manufacturers in the In re: Zantac MDL.

He previously clerked for judges at the Supreme Court of Maryland and the Appellate Court of Maryland. Sean is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Glen FeinbergPartner - Feinberg & Gasbarro LLP
Glen Feinberg is a trial and litigation attorney representing clients in commercial, employment, and professional liability disputes. He focuses on defending individuals and institutions facing claims of severe emotional distress and psychiatric injury, including cases brought under New York’s Child Victims Act and similar laws.

Known for his sensitive, forward-looking approach, Glen draws on his understanding of neurobiology, advanced psychotherapy concepts, and a strong network of local counsel to guide clients through high-risk, complex matters.

He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan and is admitted to practice in New York, multiple federal districts, and the Second Circuit. Glen earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A. from American University.