Ohio State University has agreed to pay $46.7 million to 185 former student athletes who were sexually abused in physical exams by Richard Strauss from the 1970s to the 1990s.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sexual abuse induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was sexually abused at Ohio State University by student-athlete doctor Richard Strauss, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Sexual Abuse Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: OSU Pays Another $5.8 Million in Sex Abuse Settlements
In October 2020, OSU announced that it would pay another $5.8 million to 23 survivors of Richard Strauss’s sexual abuse. The average payout is around $252,000 per person, which is the same amount that OSU paid to 162 survivors back in May 2020, for a total payout of $46.7 million.
Ohio State University Pays $41 Million Settlement
In May 2020, Ohio State University announced a $40.9 million settlement to 162 male athletes who were sexually abused by Dr. Richard Strauss. Click here to read more.
OSU Finds At Least 177 Students Who Were Sexually Abused by Dr. Strauss
May 2019 — An investigation by Ohio State University found 177 students who were sexually abused by Dr. Richard H. Strauss since the 1970s. Click here to read more.
OSU Sex Abuse Class Action Lawsuit
In July 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against Ohio State University by former student-athletes who were sexually abused in physical exams by Richard Strauss, the wrestling team doctor. Hundreds of students across 14 sports may have been victimized.
What is the Problem?
Strauss was the OSU wrestling team doctor from the mid-1970s to the 1990s, until he committed suicide in 2005. OSU required the physical exams for student-athletes to compete. Strauss is accused of:
- Showering naked with student athletes multiple times a day
- Sitting on a stool to watch students shower naked
- Groping and fondling the genitals of male students during exams without wearing gloves
- Anal penetration during physical exams
- Requiring students to get naked when examining for a cough, heartburn, etc.
Sex Abuse Complaints Date Back to 1970s
The class action lawsuit cites numerous complaints against Strauss dating back to the 1970s. OSU is accused of ignoring the complaints and allowing the abuses to continue. OSU finally investigated in 1997, but instead of disciplining Strauss, allowed him to “quietly retire.”
OSU Officials Accused of Ignoring Complaints
The students say the sexual abuse was an “open secret” and accuse OSU coaches, officials, and other leaders of turning a blind eye.
Jim Jordan, a powerful Republican congressman from Ohio, has also been accused of failing to do anything about the abuse by many former wrestlers when he was an assistant coach from 1986 to 1995.
According to the athletes, Strauss had a reputation for touching students inappropriately:
“It was very common knowledge in the locker room that if you went to Dr. Strauss for anything, you would have to pull your pants down. … Doc Strauss was a serial groper. Everyone knew, including Jim.”
Do I have an OSU Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sexual abuse induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was sexually abused at Ohio State University by student-athlete doctor Richard Strauss, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Sexual Abuse Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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