The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has approved a $100 million “settlement in principle” with former students who alleged they were sexually abused by Richard Strauss, a university-employed doctor who worked at the school from 1978 to 1998. Ohio State said the agreement involves 279 of the 280 remaining individual Strauss survivors in pending litigation, and that the board publicly ratified the agreements in principle on June 3, 2026.
The settlement is not fully finalized. In a joint statement, the university and plaintiffs said mediation and confidentiality remain ongoing while both sides work through the final details.
University President Ravi Bellamkonda called the development an “important step forward,” and thanked survivors for coming forward.
The Strauss Case Has Spanned Years of Litigation
Strauss was employed by Ohio State for nearly two decades, working with the athletic department and medical staff before retiring in 1998. He died by suicide in 2005. It was reported that the current settlement follows years of litigation tied to allegations of abuse that took place decades ago.
The university’s 2019 independent investigation found that at least 177 male students were sexually abused by Strauss. Ohio State’s Strauss Investigation website says the university publicly released the 182-page report and more than 17,500 pages of related records in May 2019.
Settlement Adds to Previous Ohio State Agreements
13 survivors, bringing previously announced agreements to 317 survivors for more than $61 million at that time.
Ohio State has said those earlier agreements did not prevent participating survivors from speaking publicly about Strauss’ abuse. The university also stated that no taxpayer, tuition, or restricted donor funds were used for those settlements.
What Survivors Can Take From This Settlement
For survivors of sexual abuse connected to a school, university, medical office, athletic program, or other institution, the Strauss settlement is a reminder that delayed disclosure is common. Many people wait years or decades before telling anyone what happened.
That delay does not make a survivor’s experience less real. It also does not mean they are out of options. Some survivors may choose counseling or peer support. Others may report to an institution, contact a licensing board, speak with law enforcement, or explore a civil lawsuit.
A civil case can sometimes help victims seek compensation for the impact of abuse, including therapy costs, lost educational opportunities, emotional distress, or other harms. It can also help uncover whether an institution had prior notice of misconduct or failed to act on complaints.
Get Legal Help From Helping Survivors
Helping Survivors provides information about legal rights and educational resources for people impacted by sexual abuse, assault, and harassment, including survivors of medical abuse and institutional sexual misconduct.
If you experienced sexual abuse by a doctor, university employee, athletic staff member, school official, or another person in a position of power, contact Helping Survivors today for a free case review. Our trauma-informed partner attorneys at Milberg may be able to introduce you to experienced legal professionals who handle civil sexual abuse cases.
