Eight years after lawsuits first accused Ohio State University of failing to stop sexual abuse by former team doctor Richard Strauss, the litigation is entering another major phase.
This past week, 30 former Ohio State football players, including several NFL veterans, joined the growing lawsuit against the university, alleging they, too, were sexually abused by Strauss. Days later, Ohio State asked a federal judge to dismiss dozens of remaining claims.
The developments underscore how sexual abuse lawsuits against the university continue to evolve years after the first was filed. And now, with more survivors joining the fight for justice and accountability, the outcome could have lasting implications for college sexual abuse cases nationwide.
Former Football Players Join Ohio State Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
On May 7, attorneys announced that 30 former Ohio State football players joined the federal lawsuit against the university. They include players of Ohio State’s 1980 Rose Bowl Team, and several went on to play professionally in the NFL.
Some of the men said they delayed coming forward for decades because of shame, fear of retaliation, and the stigma surrounding male sexual abuse. Lawyers representing the players said many were encouraged to step forward after watching others continue to pursue accountability.
The addition of high-profile football players is significant. Football has long been one of the most powerful and visible parts of Ohio State athletics. Earlier phases of the Strauss litigation largely focused on wrestlers and athletes from non-revenue sports.
New survivors joining the Ohio State sexual abuse litigation involving Strauss so many years after it began also highlights a pattern often seen in institutional sexual abuse cases; it can take years, if not decades, before coming forward.
On a legal level, additional plaintiffs can increase pressure on the university during settlement negotiations. In April, Ohio State settled with 13 Strauss survivors for $1.8 million and has paid more than $61 million to 317 survivors over the last four years. Such settlements, in combination with new plaintiffs, may influence how courts evaluate allegations that Ohio State officials knew, or should have known, about Strauss’s conduct.
Ohio State Seeks to Dismiss Dozens of Cases
Just days after the football players joined the case, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed motions seeking dismissal of 77 claims (roughly one-third of the remaining cases). The legal argument is that lawsuits involving sex abuse before October 21, 1986, should be barred because federal law at that time did not allow these types of lawsuits against state institutions.
It’s a familiar strategy. In 2021, some of the biggest sexual abuse lawsuits over the university’s failure to protect students were dismissed, and it wasn’t due to lack of evidence. Instead, the legal window to file such claims had passed, freeing Ohio State from being held accountable.
These legal arguments reflect a common defense approach in long-running sexual abuse litigation. Defendants focus on procedural and jurisdictional factors rather than contesting the abuse occurred.
For survivors of college sex abuse, these motions can be devastating. They often prevent claims from reaching trial based on legal technicalities tied to timing or statutes of limitations. However, for universities and other institutions, dismissal motions are viewed as a way to limit financial liability.
The outcome could influence future sexual abuse lawsuits involving public universities and government-affiliated institutions across the United States, especially cases involving allegations that occurred decades ago.
How the Ohio State Strauss Lawsuits Began
The lawsuits against Ohio State began in 2018 after former students accused Strauss of sexually abusing male athletes and students during medical examinations and treatment sessions.
Strauss worked at Ohio State from 1978 until 1998 and died by suicide in 2005. An independent investigation commissioned by the university later concluded that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 students.
The investigation also found that Ohio State officials were aware of complaints during his employment but failed to take meaningful action. Since then, hundreds more former students have come forward.
Over the past eight years, the university's abuse litigation has involved extensive mediation, court fights over statutes of limitations, appeals, and multiple settlement agreements.
As of 2026, Ohio State has reportedly paid more than $61 million to settle claims with over 300 survivors that allege they were abused by Strauss. However, many plaintiffs continue pursuing lawsuits, arguing the university has not fully accepted responsibility for their failures to protect students.
History of University Sex Abuse Across the U.S.
The Ohio State litigation not only follows but is happening simultaneously alongside several other major sexual abuse cases involving America's institutions and sports programs.
In 2018, Michigan State University agreed to a $500 million settlement with survivors abused by former sports doctor Larry Nassar. It was one of the largest sexual abuse settlements in U.S. history - and the path to justice didn’t end there. There was also a substantial settlement from the Department of Justice for the FBI’s failure to respond to allegations.
Then there were the allegations against former University of Southern California campus gynecologist, George Tyndall, which ultimately settled for more than $1.1 billion.
And just like the current Ohio State Strauss litigation, NC State sex abuse lawsuits are expanding as more former athletes bravely come forward. There are now 31 former student athletes involved in the case, and history shows they may represent a small portion of victims.
Together, these lawsuits have reshaped expectations surrounding institutional accountability for sexual abuse committed by college and university teachers, coaches, and doctors. They’ve also increased pressure on schools to respond quickly to reports of misconduct.
Impact of Institutional Abuse
University sex abuse lawsuits in the U.S. have contributed to broader changes in how colleges handle sexual misconduct allegations, athlete medical oversight, and reporting requirements.
Advocates say the willingness of older male athletes to publicly discuss what happened to them may encourage other survivors to seek help or pursue legal action with a civil sex abuse lawsuit.
As the Ohio State litigation continues with the newest wave of plaintiffs and the university’s attempt to dismiss 77 claims, it’s clear that the legal battle is far from over.
