Ohio State Agrees To $100 Million Settlement In Abuse Claims

Ohio State University has agreed to pay $100 million to resolve lawsuits brought by hundreds of former students who say they were sexually abused by Richard Strauss, a former university doctor, in a case that has stretched across decades and drawn national scrutiny.

The settlement was approved by the university’s trustees and covers claims from former students who alleged abuse by Strauss while he worked at Ohio State. Strauss is at the center of a wide-ranging set of allegations tied to his time at the university, and the lawsuits have sought financial compensation and accountability from the school.

The agreement represents one of the largest payouts by a university related to sexual abuse claims involving a campus physician. It addresses litigation that has been pending for years and includes plaintiffs who say they were harmed while enrolled at Ohio State, including those involved in athletics and other university programs.

For the university, the payout is a significant legal and financial development that closes a large portion of the active civil cases connected to Strauss. For survivors, it is a major moment in a long-running effort to obtain compensation and recognition of harm, after years of legal action.

The settlement also underscores the continuing exposure colleges and universities face over historical misconduct claims, particularly those involving medical care and authority figures in positions of trust. Large, consolidated settlements can reshape how institutions manage risk, respond to allegations, and handle oversight tied to health services and athlete care.

Ohio State has faced sustained questions about what was known internally about Strauss and when, and how the university responded to reports. The lawsuits have been part of a broader push for accountability that extends beyond financial damages, putting attention on how schools investigate complaints and protect students.

Next, plaintiffs and the university will move through the formal steps needed to finalize the agreement under the terms approved by trustees, including processing claims and distributing funds consistent with the settlement structure. Lawyers for the parties are expected to handle the administrative and legal work required to close out covered cases.

The settlement does not end public attention on the Strauss matter, which has remained a defining controversy for Ohio State. But it does mark a decisive step toward resolving a major tranche of litigation and provides a concrete measure of financial redress for those who brought the claims.

With a $100 million agreement now in place, Ohio State is moving from years of courtroom conflict toward implementation of a settlement that will be closely watched by survivors, alumni, and other institutions facing similar claims.