Dr. Brad Bomba Sexual Abuse Allegations

One of the most troubling cases of abuse in college athletics involves Bradford Bomba, also known as Dr. Brad Bomba or Bomba Sr., a former team physician for Indiana University’s basketball program. Dr. Brad Bomba sexual abuse allegations are now the subject of multiple lawsuits in district court, claiming that Indiana University and its leadership acted in bad faith by failing to protect student athletes.

For years, men’s basketball players who played for the Hoosiers in the late 1990s have alleged that they were subjected to invasive rectal exams and digital rectal examinations, procedures they say were unnecessary and not medically justified.

Although Indiana University later commissioned a law firm investigation that described these exams as routine, many former players continue to insist that Dr. Bomba acted for an improper purpose. 

At Injury Lawyer Team, our doctor sexual abuse attorneys are committed to helping our clients seek justice, accountability, and fair compensation.

Dr. Brad Bomba’s Background With the IU Basketball Players

Bradford Bomba, often referred to as Bomba Sr., served as the team physician and head athletic trainer for Indiana University men’s basketball for nearly two decades. During that time, countless basketball players placed their trust in him as a team doctor responsible for their health and well-being.

Unfortunately, many former Indiana athletes now allege that his repeated rectal exams and other physical examinations were not part of legitimate medical care, but instead performed for an improper purpose.

Attorneys representing Indiana University sexual abuse survivors have stated there is clear evidence to suggest that Dr. Bomba’s repeated exams were not conducted appropriately and caused lasting harm to vulnerable college-age athletes.

Several lawsuits in district court describe lasting harm, with plaintiffs alleging Indiana University and its basketball program acted in bad faith by allowing the abuse to continue.

In response to concerns, Indiana University conducted an internal investigation. While the report concluded the exams were performed in a “clinically appropriate manner,” survivors and their attorneys strongly dispute these findings.

We believe that when a team physician or head athletic trainer abuses his position of trust, the damage goes far beyond the examination room. Survivors not only suffer the immediate trauma of sexual abuse, but also years of anxiety, loss of confidence, and betrayal by the very institution that was supposed to protect them.

Testimonies from Former Indiana University Men’s Basketball Players

Recently, more former Indiana men’s basketball players have shared their experiences with Dr. Brad Bomba. Among the first were Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller, who filed a lawsuit in district court. 

Both men, who played for the Hoosiers in the late 1990s, allege they were subjected to repeated invasive rectal examinations and digital rectal exams that were unnecessary and deeply harmful.

Attorneys for the survivors, including Kathleen Delaney, argue that Indiana University and its basketball program acted in bad faith by ignoring warning signs and failing to intervene. 

Delaney has emphasized that the allegations made by Haris Mujezinovic, Charlie Miller, and other former Indiana athletes reveal a pattern of institutional neglect that must be addressed in court.

As more survivors, including those coached by Bob Knight, joined the case, the scope of the allegations widened. The report called the exams “appropriate,” but survivors dispute this, saying the procedures had no medical purpose and amounted to abuse for sexual gratification.

For our clients, there is overwhelming proof that these actions amounted to sexual misconduct and abuse, causing deep and lasting harm. 

We stand with these basketball players and believe their bravery will ensure accountability for both those directly involved and the institutions that allowed such misconduct to continue.

Legal Accountability for Indiana University

Under Indiana law, survivors of college sexual abuse have several important avenues for justice.

Survivors may file a lawsuit for civil battery, negligence, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. Statutes such as Indiana Code § 34-24-3 (civil remedies for criminal acts) and Indiana Code § 35-42-4 (sex offenses) provide the legal foundation. 

Indiana extended the statute of limitations, allowing survivors from the late 1990s who only recently came forward to pursue compensation.

The Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) require colleges and universities to address and prevent sexual misconduct in their programs. If a university or basketball program acted in bad faith or ignored credible allegations, survivors may hold them accountable under Title IX.

Victims’ Rights and Remedies

In the case of Dr. Brad Bomba and Indiana University, survivors may be entitled to several important categories of damages.

First, survivors can pursue compensatory damages to cover the cost of therapy, counseling, and other forms of ongoing medical care. Many also seek reimbursement for lost opportunities, whether educational, professional, or personal, that were disrupted because of the trauma.

Second, survivors may recover non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. We recognize that the impact of sexual misconduct and repeated invasive rectal exams is not limited to physical harm. The betrayal of trust can leave scars that last a lifetime. Survivors like Haris Mujezinovic may be entitled to both forms of compensation, and his courage in filing suit has already encouraged other former Indiana athletes to pursue justice.

Finally, courts may award punitive damages if an institution or individual acted in bad faith, ignored credible allegations, or attempted to conceal misconduct. These damages punish wrongdoers and deter universities and athletic programs from repeating mistakes.

Survivors have also filed claims against athletic trainer Tim Garl, who served as the head athletic trainer for IU men’s basketball for decades. Attorneys allege that Garl knowingly continued to assign athletes to Bomba Sr. despite concerns, effectively allowing the abuse to continue. 

His inclusion as a defendant underscores how systemic failures within the basketball program contributed to the harm suffered by student athletes.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we know survivors deserve more than the findings of internal reviews by outside firms. 

We provide legal counsel and consult medical experts to ensure the truth is presented in court, where survivors’ voices and evidence carry the greatest weight, and where they can pursue the justice and compensation they deserve. 

Our sexual abuse attorneys are committed to helping survivors pursue justice and the compensation they deserve.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.