Home / Crime and Justice / OSU Settles $100M Lawsuit Over Campus Doctor's Abuse
OSU Settles $100M Lawsuit Over Campus Doctor's Abuse
4 Jun
Summary
- Ohio State University agreed to a $100 million settlement.
- The settlement covers nearly 300 former students abused decades ago.
- Abuse by campus doctor Richard Strauss occurred from 1978 to 1998.
Ohio State University has reached a $100 million settlement with 279 of 280 former students. These individuals accused campus doctor Richard Strauss of sexual assault and abuse that occurred over two decades. The alleged misconduct took place from 1978 until Strauss's retirement in 1998.
The university's board ratified the settlement on Wednesday. This agreement follows years of litigation stemming from the extensive abuse accusations. Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005, was employed by the athletic and medical staff for nearly twenty years.
A 2019 investigation report detailed that Strauss had abused at least 177 men, primarily students. The report also indicated that university staff were aware of the abuse but failed to intervene. The abuse included inappropriate touching during purported medical examinations.
More than 500 plaintiffs filed lawsuits against Ohio State, alleging they were sexually abused and that the school demonstrated deliberate indifference to their suffering. In February, the university had already settled eight additional cases.
