As reported by Michigan Live, mediation has begun between lawyers representing the University of Michigan and those representing victims of the late Dr. Robert E. Anderson, a former UM doctor and athletics program physician accused of sexually assaulting hundreds of student-patients over a period of three decades. The lawsuits against Anderson allege he used his position to repeatedly and regularly abuse University of Michigan students in the guise of providing medical care.
Lieff Cabraser partner Annika K. Martin, who was appointed interim class counsel for plaintiffs in the litigation against Anderson and UofM, said there are a lot of moving parts with mediation because there are individual lawsuits, as well as the class-action lawsuit she filed against the university.
Martin noted that she and her firm hope to leverage mediation to obtain institutional reform to make certain that offenses like this never happen again. She explained that individual lawsuits cannot ask for relief and change of an institutional nature as they can provide only monetary compensation for past harm to the survivor.
“Obviously, as part of the class, we, too, want monetary compensation for the past harms to survivors, but we also want forward-looking change and institutional reform at UM,” Martin said.
The lawyers for the victims are hoping the progress of the mediation will offer insight into UofM’s level of commitment to creating meaningful and lasting change.
“How committed are they to, you know, owning up to the failures that allowed this to happen for decades, to decades of students?” Martin asked. “That’s something that remains to be seen.”
Learn more about the student athlete sexual abuse class action against the University of Michigan / Dr. Robert Anderson.
If You Are A Victim of Sexual Abuse
Lieff Cabraser represents individuals nationwide in sexual abuse lawsuits against their physicians, teachers, clergy, and other abusers, including the USC sexual abuse litigation filed on behalf of nearly 18,000 women abused by University gynecologist George Tyndall, where Lieff Cabraser partner Annika K. Martin serves as co-lead class counsel whose efforts led to a historic settlement for victims of $215 million and sweeping institutional reforms at USC.
If you were sexually abused by Dr. Robert Anderson, we urge you to contact Annika or Lieff Cabraser attorney Patrick Andrews today about your legal rights and potential recovery at 800 541-7358 or by using the secure form on this page. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case, and all information will be held in the strictest confidence.
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