In the wake of a recently announced $215 million USC Tyndall settlement, legal experts debate the fairness of the settlement agreement.

The University of Southern California recently announced that it would pay $215 million to settle claims regarding long-time university gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall. The settlement does not affect dozens of individual sexual assault lawsuits still pending against USC and Tyndall.

Around 500 women have brought sexual assault accusations against Tyndall, alleging that he made inappropriate comments, took photos, and touched them inappropriately while working at USC from 1988 to 2016. Tyndall retired last year after a university investigation found evidence that he had verbally and sexually harassed students during gynecological exams.

Despite the investigation, Tyndall continues to deny any allegations against him. No charges have been filed against Tyndall, but Los Angeles authorities are reviewing allegations against him. According to his attorneys, Tyndall “continues to focus on the criminal investigation” and makes no further comments

Although the $215 million USC Tyndall settlement will compensate women for what they’ve gone through, some legal professionals are encouraging their clients to forego the class action settlement and continue their fight in state court.

The settlement will provide compensation between $2,500 and $250,000 for each qualifying claimant based on a variety of factors. Any woman who had an appointment with Tyndall is eligible for $2,500 in compensation. Those who submit detailed claims about their allegations are eligible for between $7,500 and $20,000 in compensation. Only those who agree to a private interview with a psychologist are eligible for the higher end of compensation, up to $250,000.

Although the high end of potential compensation in the USC Tyndall settlement is $250,000, that amount is not guaranteed. Some attorneys believe that the compensation amount is “way too minimal” considering the traumatic events that many of Tyndall’s alleged victims experienced.

“The only guaranteed number in this case is $2,500 — $2,500 won’t even get you a 50-yard-line seat at a USC football game, let alone compensate somebody for being sexually assaulted by their doctor when they were 18 or 17,” said one attorney representing 180 accusers, according to NBC News.

Additionally, attorneys note that a variety of crucial information has yet to be determined in court, including whether or not USC was aware of Tyndall’s behavior. Determining the answers to these questions may provide victims with the chance for more appropriate compensation.

“We still don’t know when did USC first know, how often were they warned, what administrators were involved, was there criminal conduct?” the attorney continues. “Our clients, more than anything, want those answers and people held accountable, not because it helps their case but to protect the future women at USC.”

However, USC has allegedly worked “to make this as inclusive a process as possible”. USC’s attorney, Tara Lee, tells NBC News that the questions brought by attorneys are being investigated and “those answers will be available when the investigation itself is completed.”

These assurances have not stopped numerous legal professionals from continuing to “fight like hell” for their clients.

“USC may quell the depth of the anger and upset by getting hundreds of other victims to join the settlement, but it’s not going to be over,” said one attorney representing 80 alleged victims.

UPDATE: July 2019, the USC, George Tyndall sexual misconduct class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.