If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact us by sending a message through the CaseStatus app, emailing YDCLawyers@NixonPeabody.com, or by calling 603-628-4060.
Remember, the Case Status app is the best way to communicate with us and receive updates on your case. Contacting us through multiple channels—such as sending a message via Case Status and following up immediately with a phone call—may delay a response.
To ensure we can reach you with important information, please let us know promptly of any changes to your personal contact information (phone number or email address).
Q: What is the current status of my case?
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A: The quickest way to understand the current status of your case is by downloading the CaseStatus mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Each client is assigned one or more “journeys” depending on whether you are pursuing a Settlement Fund claim, litigation, or both.
These journeys contain detailed descriptions of each step in the process and what to expect in the future. They are updated each time there is a new development in your case. You can also message the Nixon/Rilee legal team through CaseStatus with specific questions about your journey.
Q: Why am I seeing more than one journey on the Case Status app?
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A: We recently rolled out a new journey on Case Status. If you have entered the Settlement Fund, you should now see two journeys on the app. This is because even though you entered the Settlement Fund, you still have a court case pending that is currently paused. If you are unhappy with the offer you receive from the Settlement Fund, your court case will resume and you will be back on the trial track.
Q: I want more information about the Settlement Fund. Should I opt in? What is the monetary value of my case?
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A: Please send a message through CaseStatus to schedule time with an attorney to discuss your options.
Should you decide to file a claim with the Settlement Fund, we will guide you through the process and advocate for you to receive the highest award possible. The deadline to submit a claim is June 2025.
The Settlement Fund is nonbinding. If you do not agree with the amount you are offered, you do not have to accept it, and you may continue litigating your case.
Q: How does the Settlement Fund “pause” through August 31 affect me?
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A: Several key functions of the Settlement Fund Administrator’s Office are paused through August 31 while the office implements new, more victim-friendly guidelines. In general, this means claims in progress are moving more slowly than usual.
Fortunately, the pause on payment processing has now been lifted. In the past two weeks, we have begun to receive payments on some of the claims that were settled through the fund. If you settled your case and are still waiting for news on your payment, please don’t be discouraged; we’re hopeful that we’ll have good news for you soon. We will message you as soon as your payment is received. There is no need to call us.
Despite the pause, we continue to encourage most of you to pursue the Settlement Fund path. This path is still faster for most clients than the trial process.
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Q: I want to speak to a lender about getting an advance on my settlement payout. Can Nixon/Rilee recommend someone?
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The possibility of accessing some of your settlement money sooner can be very appealing. However, we strongly urge you not to take any advance on a future settlement payment, and instead seek an alternative form of financial assistance. We cannot recommend specific lenders.
Companies that offer advances against future settlements do so at very high costs to you. The total amount due to the advance company will be subtracted from your future settlement. Taking an advance will reduce the total amount of money you keep and could exceed the settlement award in some cases.
If you decide to move forward with an advance, you must identify and contact the company directly. If we are contacted by a company from which you have requested an advance, we will confirm that you are a client and provide a copy of your publicly filed court complaint. All other communication about and decisions related to any advance will be only between you and the advance company.
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Q: I have not been receiving communications from you about developments in the YDC matters. Why?
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A: We send regular client updates via postal mail, email, and through the CaseStatus app. If you are not receiving these updates, please reach out to us to confirm the phone number and email address we have on file for you.
Please remember that postal mail delays happen for a variety of reasons and are mostly out of our hands. In addition, some incarcerated clients may experience mail delays due to specific regulations at their correctional facility. We have received reports of these delays and are doing everything we can to communicate with you as frequently as possible.
If you do not see emails from us, please check your spam folder. If you prefer to receive our updates by postal mail instead of email, reach out to us so we can update your communication preferences. And remember to download the CaseStatus app, which delivers updates faster than both email and postal mail.
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Q: What is the mailing address of Nixon Peabody and Rilee & Associates?
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A: 900 Elm Street 14th Floor Manchester, NH 03101
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Q: Can I send in documents electronically?
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A: You can provide documents via email (YDCLawyers@NixonPeabody.com), fax (603-628-4040), or postal mail.
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Q: Can Nixon Peabody and Rilee & Associates take on a different legal matter for me?
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A: Currently, we cannot take you on as a client on matters not related to YDC litigation or Settlement Fund claims. Please contact the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at 603-229-0002 or by visiting their website.
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Q: I received a letter asking for supporting documentation. What do I do?
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A: Once we receive your signed engagement letter, we will send you a Document Collection letter that outlines the instructions for giving documents to us. If you have already submitted your signed engagement letter and need a new copy of this Document Collection letter, please let us know.
If you have no supporting documentation, please send us a letter stating you have no supporting documentation.
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Q: What’s the number for the New Hampshire State Police’s YDC Taskforce?
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A: 603-271-4000
When you call the YDC taskforce, you will most likely have to leave a message and they will call you back. When they call you back, you will not have to provide a disclosure in that moment. You will be scheduled to talk with a NH State Police officer at a future date.
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Q: How do I assign or update a power of attorney for my case?
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A: If you wish to assign or change your power of attorney (POA), please submit your paperwork via email, fax, or postal mail. Unfortunately, we cannot advise you on the process of completing POA paperwork.
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Q: When can I expect to receive a payment after I’ve accepted the state’s Settlement Fund offer?
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A: The state controls timing of release of settlement/award payments. We are pleased to say the pause on payment processing has been lifted, and clients are beginning to receive payments again. Most clients receive payments within about two months of signing their paperwork (e.g., the waiver and release). However, because other parts of the Settlement Fund remained paused, the current timelines may be longer.
We will reach out to you directly as soon as your settlement/award is received. You do not need to call or message us for updates.
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Q: I heard the state can choose to pay me over 10 years, rather than giving me my full settlement award at once. Is that true?
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Under the new law, the Settlement Fund Administrator’s Office has the authority to pay awards in a lump sum or installments over time. If part of the award is paid in installments, you will also receive interest at 5% per year on the outstanding balance.
The Administrator must consider your personal circumstances when deciding whether to award money in a lump sum or over time and, if over time, how much to award upfront. These circumstances include, in part, your health, loans and other debts, and personal needs. We will be working with each of you to address these points in your claim packets and presentations at resolution proceedings to maximize the amount you are awarded upfront.
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Q: I’m pursuing litigation. When will I get a trial date?
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The court where your case is filed sets the date for trial. This typically occurs after discovery in your case is completed and depends on the judge’s schedule. We will notify you when discovery is completed, and your case moves toward trial. Remember that you can initiate a claim with the Settlement Fund while waiting for a trial. You are not obligated to accept an offer made to you through the Settlement Fund.
