The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal filed by The Ohio State University that, if granted, would have deprived more than 200 sexual assault survivors from having their day in court.

The plaintiffs in Snyder-Hill v. The Ohio State University are seeking justice for the sexual abuse perpetrated against them by former OSU employee Dr. Richard Strauss. OSU has admitted that Strauss committed 47 rapes and 1,429 sexual assaults of student-patients – as many rapes as the Golden State Killer – over a 20-year period. An independent investigation conducted by law firm Perkins Coie confirmed that OSU ignored the complaints it received about Strauss, and even continued to promote him and publicize his off-campus private men’s clinic. Despite this damning evidence, OSU continued to seek to have lawsuits by survivors dismissed on statute of limitations grounds.

Last September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reinstated the lawsuits, explaining, “First, the plaintiffs plausibly allege that they did not know and lacked reason to know that Ohio State caused their injury. Second, they plausibly allege that even if they had investigated further, they could not have learned of Ohio State’s conduct. Third, most plaintiffs plausibly allege that they did not know that they were abused. Alone, each of these grounds is sufficient to delay accrual.”

OSU then sought review from the U.S. Supreme Court, aiming to thwart the Sixth Circuit’s ruling and permanently stop the survivors’ lawsuits. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case means the Sixth Circuit ruling will stand and the lawsuits will be referred back to trial court.

“It’s a major moment in the case, a major step toward getting justice,” said ECBAWM partner Ilann M. Maazel, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. “OSU has for years tried to hide behind this phony statute of limitations defense, and they failed. We intend to proceed and hold them accountable once and for all.”

The plaintiffs are represented by ECBAWM attorneys Ilann M. Maazel, Debra Greenberger, and Sara Luz Estela, along with Public Justice and Scott Smith.

Press
“STRAUSS SCANDAL: Supreme Court clears way for lawsuits against OSU,” Sun Preps
“U.S. Supreme Court rejects Ohio State University’s request to toss lawsuits over sexual abuse of Dr. Richard Strauss,” Cleveland.com
“Supreme Court lets lawsuits over team doctor’s sexual abuse proceed against Ohio State,” Yahoo! Sports
“Supreme Court declines to hear Ohio State’s appeal, lets Strauss survivors sue university,” The Columbus Dispatch
“Supreme Court clears way for lawsuits against Ohio State University over alleged abuse dating to the 1970s,” CNN
“Supreme Court rebuffs OSU and enables the remaining sex abuse victims to sue,” NBC News
“US Supreme Court declines to hear Ohio State sexual abuse case, allowing survivors to sue OSU,” WOSU
“US Supreme Court rebuffs Ohio State University bid to thwart sex abuse suits,” Reuters
“US Supreme Court denies Ohio State’s Appeal on Strauss case,” The Lantern
“Ohio State Buckeyes: Supreme Court allows men to sue university,” Fansided
“Supreme Court rejects Ohio State bid to stop sexual abuse cases from proceeding,” Washington Examiner
“Supreme Court Denies OSU’s Attempt to Dismiss Remaining Strauss Lawsuits,” Campus Safety Magazine
“Supreme Court Allows Lawsuits Against Ohio State To Move Forward,” Defector
“Supreme Court rejects Ohio State’s sexual abuse case petition,” NBC4i
“U.S. Supreme Court denies review of Ohio State University doctor sex abuse case,” Ohio Capitol Journal
“Supreme Court Turns Away Ohio State University Sexual Abuse Case,” Bloomberg
“Supreme Court to Allow Sexual Assault Survivors to Sue Ohio State University,” Democracy Now!
“Supreme Court Rejects Ohio State’s Plea to Throw Out Hundreds of Men’s Sex Abuse Lawsuits,” Jezebel
“‘Finally justice has prevailed for us’: Strauss victim reacts to Supreme Court decision,” CBS
“Who was Richard Strauss? Supreme Court rebuffs Ohio State University, allows ex-students to sue physician for sexual assault,” OPOYI
“U.S. Supreme Court Issues Ruling On Ohio State University Case,” The Spun
“Ohio State sexual abuse lawsuits allowed to proceed by Supreme Court,” WHDH 7News
“Supreme Court allows OSU lawsuits to move forward concerning sexual abuse by Strauss,” Hometown Stations
“This Supreme Court Decision Could Be a Well-Deserved Nightmare for Ohio State,” Esquire
“More than 230 men allowed to sue Ohio State over doctor accused of abusing them,” Mirror