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UC Berkeley Abuse Lawsuit

UC Berkeley Abuse Lawsuit

Dozens of athletes at UC Berkeley have reported being abused by coaches and doctors, including Dr. Kent Scheff and swim coach Teri McKeever.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting UC Berkeley induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was emotionally, physically or sexually abused by a doctor or coach at UC Berkeley, 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.

UC Berkeley Team Doctor Suspended for Misconduct Investigation

A spokesman for UC Berkeley has confirmed that Dr. Kent Scheff, an associate doctor for athletic teams, has been suspended on “investigatory leave” since December 15, 2021, according to the OC Register.

UC Berkeley said it hired a law firm to investigate complaints of misconduct by Dr. Scheff toward female athletes. No details about those allegations, or the nature of the misconduct, were provided.

In February, a female athlete said she received an email from a lawyer who was investigating the misconduct.

The email read: “We are investigating a confidential matter on behalf of UC Berkeley regarding allegations of misconduct involving a UC Berkeley medical provider. We believe you may have relevant information.”

UC Berkeley Swim Coach on Leave for Abuse Investigiation

The same law firm that is investigating Dr. Scheff is also investigating misconduct by Teri McKeever, women’s swimming head coach at UC Berkeley.

Dozens of current or former Cal swimmers and divers have accused McKeever of routinely bullying swimmers by screaming or swearing at them, emotionally abusing them by bringing up deeply personal or traumatic experiences in front of their teammates, body shaming, pressuring injured athletes to compete or train, and more.

Swimmers described a toxic culture that led to mental health issues, including several women who became suicidal or tried to kill themselves.

Officials at the university and athletic department officials admitted receiving complaints since at least 2014, but either ignored complaints, failed to follow up, or simply reviewed policies with her.

One swimmer named Cindy T. said she also complained to McKeever about being sexually harassed by an athletic department official — but no one followed up.

McKeever has been on administrative leave since May 25, 2022, one day after a law firm published a report confirming that at least 20 athletes had been verbally and emotionally abused.

Lawsuit Filed by UC Berkeley Cheerleader, Forced to Perform With Concussions

In October 2019, a lawsuit was filed against UC Berkeley and USA Cheer by Melissa M., a former cheerleader who said she was forced to perform, practice, and compete despite multiple concussions.

In the lawsuit, Melissa said she was “bullied” into performing after suffering a head injury when she was kicked in the head while she was training for aerial maneuvers in October 2017. Over the next 5 months, she suffered two more concussions. She resigned in February 2018.

Do I have a UC Berkeley Abuse Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting UC Berkeley induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was emotionally, physically or sexually abused by a doctor or coach at UC Berkeley, 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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