Lawsuit involving pedophile pediatrician settled

Under the settlement disclosed Wednesday, $123 million will be placed into a trust for the benefit of victims. Bradley, 59, is serving 14 life sentences for child rape.

The victims fund is composed mainly of insurance proceeds, with an additional cash contribution from Beebe Medical Center.

Defendants in the lawsuit included Beebe — where Bradley had hospital privileges — the Medical Society of Delaware, and five physicians accused by the plaintiffs of not reporting suspicions about the ex-doctor to authorities.

The settlement resolves claims against all the defendants.

Attorneys representing the victims declined to comment Wednesday. Attorneys for Beebe said in a statement that "all parties compromised."

Superior Court Judge Joseph Slights III has scheduled a Nov. 13 hearing to consider the fairness of the settlement.

The plan submitted to the court provides for claimants to be separated into five categories, based upon the harm suffered and the need for continued therapy. Children within each category will receive the same compensation, but it's unclear what the range of payments could be among categories or how many families will get money.

The fund will administered by Thomas Rutter, a former Pennsylvania judge who served as a settlement arbitrator in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington's bankruptcy. The diocese sought bankruptcy protection in 2009 because of liabilities stemming from child abuse by pedophile priests.

Rutter will be assisted by Dr. Anne Steinberg, a Pennsylvania pediatrician and child forensic psychiatrist.