{"settlement":{"id":"saint-john-estabrooks-abuse-2026","slug":"saint-john-estabrooks-abuse-2026","title":"Saint John Estabrooks Abuse Class Action","category":"Institutional Abuse","status":"Claims open","tags":{"industry":["Government services"],"geographic":["New Brunswick"],"recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"eligibilityTrigger":["Experienced abuse or harm"]},"classDefinition":"All persons who allege they suffered injury, loss or damage as a result of being sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks in the City of Saint John between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975, while he was employed as a City of Saint John police officer. Claims may also be made on behalf of class members who passed away on or after May 16, 2024 by their estate representative.","plainLanguageSummary":"If you were harmed by sexual abuse committed by Kenneth Estabrooks in Saint John between 1953 and 1975 while he was a City of Saint John police officer, you may be eligible for a cash payment from a $16.5 million settlement fund. You do not need to live in New Brunswick to file a claim. Eligibility is based on meeting the class definition, not on where you live today.","eligibilityCriteria":[],"recoveryRange":"$16.5 million fund, individual amounts vary by category of harm and number of approved claims","filingInstructions":"Get a copy of the Claim Form by downloading it from https://saintjohnclassaction.kpmg.ca or by requesting a paper copy from the Administrator at 1-855-609-2759 or saintjohnclassaction@kpmg.ca\nFill out the Claim Form, including the sworn declaration describing the abuse you experienced\nIf you are also claiming for a psychological harm, attach a diagnosis or documentation of an eligible psychological harm that occurred after the abuse (this part is optional)\nIf you are claiming on behalf of a deceased class member who was alive on or after May 16, 2024, attach proof of your legal authority (such as Letters Probate or a will naming you executor) and evidence supporting the claim\nAttach a clear copy of one valid government-issued photo ID\nSign the declaration before a commissioner of oaths, lawyer, or another authorized official (in person or by video call)\nSubmit the completed Claim Form and any supporting documents by April 13, 2027 by email to saintjohnclassaction@kpmg.ca, by mail to KPMG Inc., 600 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 1500, KPMG Tower, Montréal QC H3A 0A3, or in person at KPMG Inc., City Hall Building, Suite 501, 15 Market Square, Saint John NB E2L 1E8\nKeep a copy of your Claim Form and supporting documents for your records","caseBackground":"Kenneth Estabrooks was a police officer employed by the City of Saint John, New Brunswick. A class action lawsuit was brought against the City on behalf of people who were sexually abused by Estabrooks between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975. The Court found the City of Saint John vicariously liable for the harm suffered by people abused by Estabrooks while he was a Saint John police officer.\n\nOn March 12, 2026, the New Brunswick Court of King's Bench approved a settlement of the class action. The City of Saint John will pay a settlement fund of $16.5 million to compensate eligible class members, along with certain fees and expenses. KPMG has been appointed as the Administrator to decide all claims through a confidential claims process designed to provide restorative justice while minimizing further trauma.","administratorName":"KPMG Inc.","administratorContacts":[{"type":"phone","label":"Administrator inquiries","value":"1-855-609-2759"},{"type":"online","label":"","value":"https://saintjohnclassaction.kpmg.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"","value":"saintjohnclassaction@kpmg.ca"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"600 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 1500, KPMG Tower Montréal QC H3A 0A3 Attention: Administrator of Saint John Estabrooks Abuse Class Action"}],"administratorRole":"claims","agentName":"","agentContacts":[],"agentClaimFormHelp":false,"classCounselName":"Koskie Minsky LLP, McKiggan Hebert Lawyers","classCounselContacts":[{"type":"email","label":"","value":"estabrooksabuseclassaction@kmlaw.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"","value":"1-866-777-6323"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"20 Queen Street West, Suite 900, Box 52, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3R3"},{"type":"email","label":"","value":"info@mckigganhebert.com"},{"type":"phone","label":"","value":"902-423-2050"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"1959 Upper Water St. #502, Purdy's Wharf Tower 1, Halifax, NS B3J 3N2"}],"classCounselFirms":[{"name":"Koskie Minsky LLP","region":"","contacts":[{"type":"email","label":"","value":"estabrooksabuseclassaction@kmlaw.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"","value":"1-866-777-6323"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"20 Queen Street West, Suite 900, Box 52, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3R3"}]},{"name":"McKiggan Hebert Lawyers","region":"","contacts":[{"type":"email","label":"","value":"info@mckigganhebert.com"},{"type":"phone","label":"","value":"902-423-2050"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"1959 Upper Water St. #502, Purdy's Wharf Tower 1, Halifax, NS B3J 3N2"}]}],"submissionMethods":[{"type":"email","label":"","value":"saintjohnclassaction@kpmg.ca"},{"type":"mail","label":"","value":"KPMG Inc., 600 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 1500, KPMG Tower, Montréal QC H3A 0A3, Attention: Administrator of Saint John Estabrooks Abuse Class Action"},{"type":"in-person","label":"In person","value":"KPMG Inc., City Hall Building, Suite 501, 15 Market Square, Saint John NB E2L 1E8"}],"sourceDocuments":[{"url":"/uploads/257d12ba74b789befe478876-Long-Form-Notice-EN.pdf","title":"Notice to Class Members"},{"url":"/uploads/ee0355ab12e131afc3d0a48f-Claim-Form-EN.pdf","title":"Claim Form"},{"url":"/uploads/5942b5d613a986db947090ce-Long-Form-Notice-FR.pdf","title":"Avis aux membres du groupe"},{"url":"/uploads/2e9a8d4c3a5ca78f9382316f-Claim-Form-FR.pdf","title":"Formulaire de réclamation"}],"shortFormNoticeUrl":"/uploads/ba623eda9713d7b61ede6659-Short-Form-Notice-EN.pdf","longFormNoticeUrl":"/uploads/257d12ba74b789befe478876-Long-Form-Notice-EN.pdf","settlementAgreementUrl":"","claimFormDocumentUrl":"/uploads/ee0355ab12e131afc3d0a48f-Claim-Form-EN.pdf","claimForms":[{"id":"735c9e24120d","url":"/uploads/ee0355ab12e131afc3d0a48f-Claim-Form-EN.pdf","name":"Claim Form","language":"en","description":""},{"id":"fb690c68765f","url":"/uploads/2e9a8d4c3a5ca78f9382316f-Claim-Form-FR.pdf","name":"Formulaire de réclamation","language":"fr","description":""}],"claimFormsButtonLabel":"claim-form","claimFormsUnavailable":false,"claimFormsUnavailableReason":"","claimFormGuides":[{"id":"081e89f2d73f","url":"/uploads/3fa45c0d14836d257002a91c-Claim-Process-EN.pdf","name":"Claim Process (Guide)","language":"en"},{"id":"69320369881b","url":"/uploads/ef8f8409d0fef9eb307478db-Claim-Process-FR.pdf","name":"Processus de réclamation (Guide)","language":"fr"}],"additionalDocuments":[],"optOutFormUrl":"","optOutInstructions":"","objectionFormUrl":"","objectionInstructions":"","faqs":[{"answer":"There is a settlement fund of $16.5 million. The amount paid for each approved claim will depend on the nature of the harm each class member suffered and the number of claims that are approved.","question":"How much money can I receive?"},{"answer":"Your Claim Form must be submitted on or before April 13, 2027. The Administrator has limited ability to consider late claims received within three months after that date if you provide a reasonable written explanation, but as of July 13, 2027 it will be too late for your claim to be considered.","question":"What is the deadline to make a claim?"},{"answer":"If you are claiming for sexual abuse for yourself, you do not need to provide documents proving the abuse; you complete a sworn declaration on the Claim Form and attach a copy of one valid government-issued photo ID. If you also choose to claim for a psychological harm, you must provide a diagnosis or documentation of an eligible psychological harm, and estate representatives claiming for a deceased class member must provide proof of legal authority and supporting evidence.","question":"Do I need to provide proof of the abuse?"},{"answer":"Yes, if the person was alive on or after May 16, 2024 and you have legal authority to act for their estate. You must attach proof of that authority, such as Letters of Administration, Letters Probate, or a copy of the will naming you as executor.","question":"Can I make a claim for a class member who has passed away?"},{"answer":"The Administrator may contact you if more information is needed, will review your claim, and will decide if you are eligible for compensation. When all claims have been processed, the Administrator will contact you with the result of your claim. All information you provide is kept strictly confidential.","question":"What happens after I submit my claim?"}],"eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"abused-by-estabrooks","text":"Did you suffer harm as a result of being sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"abuse-in-saint-john","text":"Did the sexual abuse occur in the City of Saint John?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"abuse-time-period","text":"Did the sexual abuse occur between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"estabrooks-police-officer","text":"Did the sexual abuse occur while Kenneth Estabrooks was a City of Saint John police officer?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"opted-out","text":"Did you previously opt out of this lawsuit?","type":"yes_no","helpText":"If you never validly excluded yourself from this class action, answer No.","qualifyingAnswer":"no","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"prior-settlement","text":"Did you previously settle a lawsuit against the City of Saint John relating to the same abuse?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"no","criticalForEligibility":true}],"uncertainMessage":"Some of your answers were Not sure, so we could not confidently determine your eligibility.","qualifyingMessage":"Based on your answers, you appear to fall within the class definition for this settlement.","nonQualifyingMessage":"Based on your answers, you do not appear to fall within the class definition for this settlement."},"claimCategories":[{"id":"sexual-abuse","name":"Sexual abuse","description":"Compensation for harm from being sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks in Saint John between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975 while he was a City of Saint John police officer. You do not need to provide documents proving the abuse; you describe what happened in a sworn declaration on the Claim Form and attach a copy of one valid government-issued photo ID.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Self-attestation only","Identity verification required"],"recoveryRange":"Depends on the nature of the harm suffered and the number of approved claims","eligibilityChecker":null,"eligibilityCriteria":["You suffered harm as a result of being sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks","The abuse occurred in the City of Saint John between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975","The abuse occurred while Kenneth Estabrooks was a City of Saint John police officer"]},{"id":"psychological-harm","name":"Psychological harm (optional additional claim)","description":"Optional additional compensation for class members who suffer from an eligible psychological harm (such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorder, sleep disorder, substance use disorder, anger issues, self-harming, sexual dysfunction, intimacy problems, or other personality or psychotic disorders) resulting from the abuse.","recoveryType":["Cash payment"],"documentation":["Medical records required"],"recoveryRange":"","eligibilityChecker":{"questions":[{"id":"has-psychological-harm","text":"Do you suffer from an eligible psychological harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or a substance use disorder, resulting from the abuse?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true},{"id":"has-diagnosis-documentation","text":"Can you provide a diagnosis or documentation of that psychological harm occurring after the abuse?","type":"yes_no","qualifyingAnswer":"yes","criticalForEligibility":true}]},"eligibilityCriteria":["You are claiming for sexual abuse under the settlement","You have a diagnosis or documentation of an eligible psychological harm that occurred after the abuse"]}],"proceedings":null,"relatedSlugs":[],"group":null,"cardSummary":"If you were sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks in Saint John between 1953 and 1975 while he was a police officer, you can claim compensation from a $16.5 million settlement.","proofRequired":"","claimTime":"","claimAmount":"","coverageStartDate":"1953-01-01","coverageEndDate":"1975-11-01","deadline":"2027-04-13","optOutDeadline":"","objectionDeadline":"","approvalHearingDate":"","approvalHearingDates":[],"approvalPending":false,"resolution":"settlement","judgmentAppealed":false,"seriousHarmEnabled":false,"quietPresentation":false,"formHelperEnabled":false,"dateAdded":"2026-09-05","lastUpdated":"2026-09-06","firstPublishedAt":"2026-09-05 16:13:41","claimsOpenedAt":"2026-09-05 16:13:41","lastVerifiedAt":"2026-09-05","languages":["en","fr"]}}