Indiana University Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Financial Compensation for Victims of Sexual Violence at IU

Indiana University sexual abuse was widespread and well-known, as the athletics department failed to protect students from predatory physicians. A culture of indifference and abuse of authority left countless young people vulnerable to exploitation, turning their most formative years into a lifetime of trauma.

If you were mistreated by a coach or other student at IU, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Contact the award-winning Injury Lawyer Team for a free consultation about a college sexual assault lawsuit.

Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by Men’s Basketball Players

At least 15 former men’s basketball players have come forward alleging that the late Dr. Bradford Bomba achieved sexual gratification through digital rectal exams. Multiple university officials, including famous coach Bobby Knight, refused to listen to the ex-athletes and did not remove Bomba from the university.

One player, Butch Carter, complained multiple times about the team doctor’s behavior and told Knight that he wanted a different physician. However, Knight and athletic trainer Tim Garl forced Carter and other players to continue receiving medical care from Bomba.

According to one of the plaintiffs, Haris Mujezinovic, he was warned by teammates to be careful around Bomba, stating that he should prepare for “the finger.” This makes it clear that Bomba’s predilection for inappropriate behavior was well-known, but no one intervened. Attorneys for the victims labeled this a “policy of deliberate indifference.”

IU commissioned the law firm Jones Day to conduct an outside investigation, which included over 10,000 emails and 100,000 physical documents. The Jones Day investigators concluded that Bomba’s digital rectal exams were completed in a “clinically appropriate manner.”

Medical experts cited in the Jones Day report noted that the rectal exams were “uncommon,” but clinical standards may have changed since the 1960s, when Bomba began working with the athletes.

Christopher Lee, attorney for Tim Garl, stated, “The Jones Day report makes clear that DREs [digital rectal exams] are a normal and, at the time, required portion of a complete physical examination. The physicians I have spoken with are upset that new physicians may be spooked by the lawsuit and not perform a DRE. DREs provide meaningful information to skilled physicians.”

Bomba was deposed in 2024 and refused to answer questions, invoking the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment is designed to protect defendants from incriminating themselves, but, in this case, was used to prevent investigators from gaining valuable evidence of sexual misconduct.

The former doctor failed to answer even non-incriminating questions during a 75-minute deposition, invoking his rights at least 45 times. Some of the questions he refused to answer included “Dr. Bomba, did you travel with the I.U. men’s basketball team to games in Illinois?” which would not have been incriminating.

Court filings indicate that the university is challenging whether the ex-athletes can pursue litigation due to the state’s two-year statute of limitations. The men’s attorneys countered this by citing an Ohio State University case involving Dr. Richard Strauss. While the first lawsuit was dismissed, an appeals court determined that the statute of limitations only began when the victims discovered that administrators were aware of the injuries, could have taken action, and failed to do so.

It is unclear whether this legal precedent will be successful in the IU case. However, a magistrate judge ruled that the victims can continue gathering information while the presiding district court judge decides whether to dismiss the claims based on statutory restrictions.

There are additional challenges facing the victims, as the US Supreme Court ruled in Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller, PLLC that emotional distress is not recoverable in private lawsuits filed under federal anti-discrimination clauses like Title IX.

Unfortunately, the young men mistreated by Bomba will never get to see him face justice, as he died in early 2025. Before his death, a judge stated that Bomba was not competent to stand trial due to his advanced age.

However, the victims are motivated by more than getting justice. Charlie Miller, one of the original plaintiffs, stated that he is setting an example for his four children, assuring them that they do not have to tolerate mistreatment by anyone, including an authority figure.

What Damages Can Victims of Sexual Assault Recover in Indiana?

Whether you were the victim of inappropriate rectal exams or sexually assaulted by another student, college sexual abuse lawsuits help you secure the financial compensation you need to heal. Common damages in these cases include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of future income
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of normal life

What Indiana Laws Govern University Sexual Misconduct Cases?

While civil and criminal cases are separate, aligning a personal injury lawsuit with a criminal definition of misconduct can provide a solid legal basis. In this case, Bomba’s inappropriate rectal exams could be considered rape (IC 35-42-4-1) as it involves penetration of another person’s anus with an object (IC 35-31.5-2-221.5).

It is important to note that you do not have to file a police report or press charges on the perpetrator to file a civil claim. However, having an official record of your complaint can strengthen your case and increase your chances of receiving compensation.

Beyond the individual perpetrator, their employer can also be held accountable for misconduct that occurs during the course of employment. As IU is a public university that receives federal funding, it is obligated to uphold Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination (20 U.S.C. § 1681).

Title IX is not just about admissions, but also about protecting students and employees from sexual violence, which is considered a form of sex-based discrimination. Universities that receive federal funding are required to appoint Title IX experts, perform investigations on allegations, and take necessary measures to protect students who have been abused or harassed.

The landmark US Supreme Court Case Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools affirmed that individuals who have had their Title IX rights violated have the right to seek financial compensation for their injuries.

How Long Do Victims Have to File Sexual Assault Claims?

Adult victims have two years from the time of the assault to file a lawsuit (IC 34-11-2-4). This has become a challenge for the IU victims, as some of the alleged abuse occurred in the 1960s and 70s.

However, child victims have more time to pursue legal actions. They must bring a suit within seven years of the abuse or, if the child is a dependent of the perpetrator, four years after no longer being a dependent (IC 34-11-6-1).

Regardless of the victim’s age, it is crucial to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. This ensures we have time to gather information before key details are forgotten, lost, or destroyed.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Indiana University?

Whether you were mistreated by a medical professional, coach, or other student, we can help you pursue justice from all liable parties. Potential parties to a lawsuit include the following.

Individual Perpetrator: The specific perpetrator is the first party in a lawsuit in most cases. If the perpetrator has already passed away, then we can pursue compensation from additional defendants.
Other Employees: Fellow coaches, trainers, and professors have an obligation to report potential abuse and protect students. If they knew about the abuse but failed to take action, they can also be held accountable.
Employers: IU or other universities are liable for the actions of their employees through vicarious liability. They can be held accountable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision, such as if they ignore complaints from student athletes.
Third-Party Contractors: In some cases, the perpetrator is a vendor for the university, such as a janitor. Like the university, third-party contracting firms can also be held liable for the misconduct of their employees.
Professional Organizations: With licensed professionals, a complaint from a patient should trigger an investigation and potential penalties. If students complain to these professional institutions and are ignored, the organization could also be liable for misconduct.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

These cases can be extremely challenging for several reasons. First, many victims do not come forward until years or decades later due to shame, fear, and stigma. As a result, vital records may have been lost or destroyed. Some eyewitnesses may be unreliable or unavailable. We can overcome these challenges through thorough investigation.

Sexual violence is an emotionally charged topic, and many victims find the legal process incredibly challenging. Our compassionate, trauma-informed legal process empowers survivors of all genders and ages to share their story and gain justice.

Our doctor sexual abuse attorneys are members of the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys, renowned for our aggressive negotiation and record-setting settlements. We can assist you with the following services.

Case Evaluation: To secure the highest settlement, we must accurately tabulate both your economic and non-economic damages. We will rely on over 100 years of combined legal experience to assess both your hard financial losses and the severe emotional toll that the abuse has caused.
Outside Investigation: Even if the sexual abuse happened decades ago, our attorneys can uncover vital documents that corroborate your story. This can include medical records, employment records, student reports, and private communications.
Interviewing Witnesses: Both the victim and other witnesses play a key role in explaining the events that occurred. Even if it has been years, we will track down witnesses and conduct careful interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the abuse.
Expert Testimony: Expert witnesses provide valuable context to your narrative, explaining why victims do not immediately come forward. They can also explain how unique social dynamics, such as that between a team coach and players, may discourage survivors from speaking out.
Negotiation: Using the evidence we have gathered, we will demonstrate why you deserve the maximum settlement available. We will handle all negotiations on your behalf so that you can focus on recovery rather than dealing with third parties.
Court Representation: Many cases settle out of court. However, some will go to trial due to statutory questions, contested liability, or unclear evidence. Our National Trial Lawyers prepare every case as if it is going to trial, ensuring that you have the best possible chance of a successful verdict. This process includes preparing court filings, sharing information with other parties during discovery, attending hearings, and presenting our arguments before a judge and jury.

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Law Firm

As proud Million Dollar Advocates, we are committed to securing the highest possible settlements for our clients, always on a contingency fee basis. These are some of the many sexual misconduct lawsuits we have settled for victims, ensuring that they have the funds they need to heal.

$15,000,000: Multiple boys were groomed and abused by a private school coach. Despite complaining to the administration, school officials sided with the perpetrator and attempted to silence the victims. We proved that the school was aware of the events and failed to uphold its legal obligations to the victims.
$3,000,000: A woman was repeatedly raped by an obstetrician-gynecologist at a large teaching hospital associated with a prestigious university. The physician performed unnecessary pelvic exams and refused to allow the woman to have a chaperone present. This physician’s inappropriate conduct was well-known amongst the staff, but none of them intervened to protect patients.
$2,500,000: A young man was raped by a defrocked priest at a large Catholic university. This priest had been moved from position to position multiple times during his time with the church, with the archdiocese quietly reassigning him whenever parishioners complained. This time, too, they refused to intervene for the victim.

Book a Free Consultation

Injury Lawyer Team’s attorneys are considered some of the Best Attorneys of America, well-regarded for our caring yet aggressive legal representation in sexual abuse lawsuits. We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless you win. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced college abuse attorney.

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.