Victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault by Dr. Richard Strauss, the former and now deceased team doctor at Ohio State University (OSU) have limited time to file a lawsuit. Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, universities have a responsibility to take sexual assault accusations seriously to prevent sexual abuse of students.
The deadline is currently April 14, 2020, but this may change. Sexual assault lawyers urge those who experienced sexual assault or abuse by Dr. Strauss to come forward before the deadline expires.
Monetary Settlement Reached for Some OSU Sexual Assault Survivors
OSU recently had nearly 180 former students claim sexual abuse by the doctor, according to Reuters. The plaintiffs who sued included the university in their legal action because OSU failed to act even with knowledge of Dr. Strauss’s alleged misconduct.
Due to the extent of this sexual abuse, more lawsuits may be filed before the deadline of April 14, 2020.
You May Classify as a Plaintiff in the OSU Collegiate Sexual Assault Case
Dr. Richard Strauss served as the team doctor for a dozen of the male athletic teams at OSU from 1979 to 1997. He also taught as a professor at the university’s School of Medicine and examined patients at the on-campus health clinic.
Dr. Strauss’s alleged sexual assault and abuse were reported throughout his long tenure, but OSU did not act nor seek criminal charges.
You or a loved one may be entitled to recover damages as a plaintiff in a collegiate sexual assault lawsuit against OSU if:
- You (or your loved one) played a team sport at OSU from 1979 to 1997
- You (or your loved one) had a medical or physical exam conducted by Dr. Richard Strauss at any time from 1979 to 1997
The accusations against Dr. Strauss may continue to prove more extensive than the cases already brought forward. Enduring any form of sexual abuse may result in a victim’s reluctance to file a complaint or speak out, particularly when the alleged abuser is an authority figure.
OSU Must Be Held Accountable for Its Negligence
Employers can be held liable for their employees. In this instance, Ohio State University athletic and medical personnel were told by male student-athletes about Dr. Strauss’s behavior, but the university did nothing. After they received numerous allegations, more students suffered abuse from Dr. Strauss as he continued to act as the team’s physician.
It was not until 1997 that the university allowed Dr. Strauss to resign. The school held a closed-door session that resulted in Dr. Strauss retaining his “emeritus” status. Dr. Strauss committed suicide in 2005.
Hundreds of Victims Have Come Forward
If you or a loved one was a male student-athlete at OSU from 1979 to 1997, you may have experienced similar instances of sexual abuse or assault as other victims.
Some of these instances may include:
- Male students forced to be nude for standard physical exams prior to being allowed to participate on an OSU athletic team
- Male students who experienced unwanted and inappropriate touching and handling of their genital area
- Male students who experienced lewd and lascivious behavior by Dr. Strauss in the men’s locker room and showers
- Male students who had their genitals groped and fondled by Dr. Strauss
- Male students who Dr. Strauss forced to be photographed naked
His employer, Ohio State University, failed in its duty of care to protect and prevent sexual, physical, and emotional suffering for hundreds of young men. If you are among this group of sexual assault survivors, please tell us your story before the legal deadline runs out.
How a Collegiate Sexual Assault Lawyer May Help You
You may qualify for financial recovery. You will need to provide proof that you were enrolled at Ohio State University and played on one of the sports teams associated with Dr. Strauss.
A sexual assault lawyer may listen to you and may help you understand your legal options. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may recover damages in a monetary settlement.
These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological treatment and counseling
- Reimbursement for lost or reduced wages caused by psychological injuries
- Mental anguish
- Other out-of-pocket costs related to sexual assault or abuse
A lawyer with our firm may help you recover damages on a contingency basis.
The Deadline for Legal Action Is Approaching
You have until April 14, 2020, to file a lawsuit against OSU. This may change, so you are invited to call for a free case evaluation as soon as possible.
Please call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC at (713) 850-8600 to learn about your legal options, including the right to pursue damages by filing an OSU collegiate sexual assault case.
