Indiana University class action claims physician sexually assaulted student athletes

Indiana University class action overview:

• Who: Two former students of Indiana University sued the college.
• Why: The plaintiffs allege an Indiana University physician sexually assaulted them.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in an Indiana federal court.

A pair of former student athletes filed a class action lawsuit against Indiana University alleging the college ignored sexual misconduct by Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr., a long-time physician for the men’s basketball team. 

Plaintiffs Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller, both former basketball players at the college, filed the class action complaint against The Trustees of Indiana University on Oct. 15 in an Indiana federal court. 

The men allege Bomba routinely performed medically unnecessary and abusive rectal exams on athletes and that the university showed “deliberate indifference” to the abuse.

The lawsuit claims Indiana University violated Title IX, which bars sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

“Despite its knowledge of these routine, pervasive, repeated sexual assaults, [Indiana University] systemically mishandled and turned a blind eye to Hoosier men’s basketball players’ complaints of Dr. Bomba, Sr.’s sexual misconduct, contrary to federal regulations,” the Indiana University lawsuit states.

Plaintiffs allege ‘culture of tacit acceptance’ at Indiana University

Dr. Bomba served as team physician for the basketball team at Indiana University for nearly 30 years until the late 1990s. 

According to the lawsuit, his actions were common knowledge among players, who even nicknamed him “Frankenstein” due to his large hands. 

The lawsuit claims that team coaches, assistants and medical staff were aware of the misconduct but did nothing to stop it, thus perpetuating a “culture of tacit acceptance” of Bomba’s actions.

In response to the allegations, Indiana University announced in September that it had hired the law firm Jones Day to conduct an independent investigation into the claims. The firm, which reportedly specializes in sensitive investigations, will interview witnesses, engage medical experts and review documents to assess whether Bomba’s conduct met medical standards, according to the announcement. The university also promised to take appropriate actions based on the investigation’s findings.

The plaintiffs look to represent all former Indiana University students Dr. Bradford Bomba, Sr. sexually assaulted in the course of their participation in Indiana University’s programs. They seek damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

The lawsuit follows other high-profile Title IX cases involving university physicians accused of sexual misconduct. In 2022, former University of Michigan students reached a $490 million settlement with the college. The settlement resolves claims that more than 1,000 students were sexually abused by a former campus sports doctor.

What do you think of the claims in this Indiana University class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments!

Mujezinovic and Miller are represented by Kathleen A. DeLaney, Matthew R. Gutwein and Alexander J. Pantos of DeLaney & DeLaney LLC. 

The Indiana University class action lawsuit is Haris Mujezinovic et al. v. Trustees Of Indiana University, Case No. 1:24-cv-01827, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. 

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