Michigan Sex Abuse Lawsuit Settlement Amounts and Law

This page explains how sex abuse victims can bring civil lawsuits in Michigan and get compensation. Our lawyers will discuss the newly amended statute of limitations for sex abuse civil cases in Michigan. Finally, we will examine these cases’ potential settlement value and recent settlements and verdicts in Michigan sex abuse lawsuits.

Michigan Sex Abuse Lawsuit Recent Updated

November 21, 2024: The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a sexual abuse lawsuit against multiple defendants, ruling that the claims were barred by statutes of limitation. The plaintiff, who alleged abuse from 1979 to 1993, filed his complaint in 2023, asserting repressed memories of the abuse surfaced during therapy in 2022.

The court rejected his arguments for tolling under Michigan’s insanity provision, the criminal sexual conduct tolling statute, and fraudulent concealment. It found no evidence the plaintiff was “insane” when the claims accrued, and the criminal sexual conduct tolling statute did not apply retroactively to revive already-expired claims. Additionally, the plaintiff failed to prove that the defendants fraudulently concealed his claims, as he had reported the abuse to authorities decades earlier.

The court affirmed that the applicable limitation periods, which ranged from two to ten years depending on the type of claim, had expired long before the plaintiff’s filing. While the plaintiff argued his repressed memories and the defendants’ conduct justified tolling, the court held that such claims were insufficient under Michigan law. As a result, the trial court’s dismissal of the lawsuit was upheld, reinforcing the limitations on pursuing decades-old claims without statutory exceptions or sufficient evidence of concealment.

The judges got it right. It is the law that is wrong and needs to be changed.

November 2, 2024: The Michigan Attorney General has officially closed its investigation into what knowledge Michigan State University may have had about Larry Nassar, the former sports doctor for MSU and USA Gymnastics who has been convicted for decades of sexual abuse. The AG’s office said that its review of over 6,000 documents did not yield any new information, but it publicly criticized MSU for withholding the documents for such a long time.

October 7, 2024: A church leader from Oakwood Church in Augusta Township, MI, was recently charged with numerous sexual crimes, including sexual abuse of children. Zachary Radcliff, 29-years-old, is the worship director at the church and has strong ties to MAGA and other conservative political organizations. The criminal charges came after a police investigation uncovered incriminating materials on his home computer.

September 23, 2024: Our law firm is actively investigating sexual abuse lawsuits against Dr. Oumair Aejaz, an internal medicine physician formerly employed at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital and Ascension Genesys Hospital in Michigan.

September 20, 2024: A former attorney has filed a federal lawsuit accusing a fellow lawyer of sexual harassment during and after her employment at his firm.

The human interest part of the story is that the accused lawyer had also served as the mediator in the high-profile settlement involving the late University of Michigan physician Robert Anderson, who was accused of sexually assaulting more than 1,000 victims. The plaintiff claims that after she confronted him about the harassment, her new employer terminated her and disparaged her reputation, making it difficult for her to continue working in Michigan.

The lawsuit details the attorney’s discovery of hundreds of unauthorized photos of herself on the accused lawyer’s device, taken while she worked at his firm. She also alleges that the lawyer continued to stalk her after she left the firm and that her subsequent employer became hostile after she raised concerns about his ongoing harassment.

August 6, 2024: Bad news. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that a 2018 law extending civil suit deadlines for sexual assault victims does not apply retroactively. As our June 7 post below indicated, we were optimistic the court would go the other way.

The law, enacted post-Larry Nassar scandal, included a specific retroactive provision only for Nassar’s victims, not applying to other past cases. The plaintiff, a priest clergy abuse victim, argued his case became actionable in 2020 upon recognizing the abuse’s impact on his mental health, citing the law’s provision that allows filing within three years of such a discovery.

But the court’s majority held that the statute’s language did not intend retroactive application beyond Nassar’s victims. This decision maintains the standard that claims must be filed within three years of the assault unless specifically allowed by the statute. Three justices dissented, questioning the interpretation of the law’s discovery implications.

It is up to Michigan legislature to fix this mess.

July 15, 2024: While the Michigan House approved three bills related to extending the statute of limitations for criminal sexual conduct, efforts to extend the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits have stalled. Again. The bills that would allow victims more time to sue perpetrators or institutions are considered more controversial and were not brought to a vote before the summer recess. We still hope remaining bills will pass when the House reconvenes in the fall but it is hard to predict.

June 7, 2024: In June 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court is poised to rule on the question of whether a 2018 law extending the statute of limitations for some sexual abuse claims can apply retroactively to cases involving abuse by clergy, school staff, or other authority figures from decades ago. This law was initially passed in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal and specifically included a carveout for Nassar victims, allowing them to file old claims. The debate centers on whether this provision should also apply to other past abuse victims.

The controversy arose from a lawsuit by an individual claiming to have been abused by a priest as a teenager. He argues that the 2018 law should allow him to file a lawsuit based on recently discovered mental health issues linked to the alleged abuse, despite the traditional statute of limitations having expired. The Diocese of Lansing, a defendant in the case, argues that the provision was meant to apply to future cases, not to past incidents.

Lower courts have issued conflicting decisions regarding this interpretation, with one court siding with the claimant and another with the defendant, leading to the current Supreme Court review.

The outcome of this decision could potentially open the door – open the floodgates actually – for many other historical abuse claims against various institutions by interpreting the law to apply retroactively to cases beyond those involving Nassar.

May 15, 2024: More than a dozen teenagers were sexually abused by staff at the Wolverine Secure Treatment Center in Michigan, according to a lawsuit filed in Saginaw County. The center, which closed in 2021, housed teenagers placed by courts, the state child welfare system, and families. The detention center sex abuse lawsuit accuses Wolverine Human Services, the center’s operator, of gross negligence, detailing abuse of 13 boys and one girl in their rooms, showers, and other locations.

May 3, 2024: Last week, a Michigan federal court ruled an Italian woman can continue a sex abuse lawsuit she filed last year alleging she was raped by a man she met through an online au pair service, aupair.com. She claimed that the service, which a German company and i, failed to adequately screen and monitor its users. If a person seeking a nanny does not have a child, that would seem to be a pretty easy thing to figure out, right?

This oversight allowed the man to pose as a host family from East Lansing, Michigan, and lure her to the U.S., claiming he needed a nanny for his niece. Upon her arrival in Michigan, instead of the au pair job she expected, there was no child at the home and she was brutally sexually assaulted. She immediately returned to Italy and went directly to a hospital, where she was administered a rape kit.

The third-party defendants moved to dismiss the case on several grounds, including lack of subject matter and personal jurisdiction, arguing that the U.S. court was not the appropriate venue to hear the case. They also cited the doctrine of forum non conveniens, suggesting that another venue would be more suitable for addressing the issues raised in the lawsuit.

The judge refused to dismiss the lawsuit and allowed the woman to amend her complaint to include the new claims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act to establish federal jurisdiction.

April 12, 2024: In Michigan, the stringent statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits in Michigan is a real barrier to justice, as underscored by a recent court decision. In this case, an individual plaintiff filed claims against multiple hotel operators, including Motel 6, Marriott International, and others, alleging they facilitated her sex trafficking from 2003 to 2014.

The plaintiffs’ sex abuse lawyers included a laundry list of open and obvious signs of sex trafficking that were present at each of the hotels, including

cash payments for rooms
frequent foot traffic to and from the rooms
signs of sex trafficking in rooms e.g. excessive condoms, lubricant, ‘do not disturb’ signs being constantly hung on doors rented by sex traffickers
women arriving at hotels and being checked in with their trafficker with little to no personal possessions
women arriving with signs of physical abuse
women arriving at the hotel who appear fearful or anxious
refusing cleaning services for days.

Despite the grave nature of the allegations, the court’s application of the ten-year statute of limitations meant many of the plaintiff’s claims were dismissed because they did not fall within the ten years prior to the lawsuit being filed. This illustrates the often harsh impact of statutory time limits, particularly in sex trafficking cases, where victims may not be able to seek justice due to the time taken to escape and recover from such traumatic circumstances.

The court did allow claims against Farmington Hospitality (Fairfield Inn & Suites) to proceed because specific allegations suggested that employees at this location had direct knowledge of and disregarded clear signs of trafficking.

This decision highlights how harsh the strict application of the Michigan sex abuse statute of limitations can be. Most of the plaintiff’s claims were dismissed because they fell outside the ten-year window prior to the lawsuit’s filing. Thankfully, the remaining claim against Fairfield Inn & Suites can proceed.

Filing Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse in Michigan

Michigan law permits victims of sex abuse to bring civil lawsuits and seek monetary compensation. The right to bring a civil lawsuit is not in any way dependent on whether the victim pressed criminal charges. Abuse victims can file a civil suit regardless of whether they reported the abuse to the police when it happened. It also doesn’t matter whether the abuser was convicted.

Victims can bring civil lawsuits for sexual abuse as long as they are presently willing to testify under oath about the facts of the alleged sexual abuse or assault. Other forms of evidence, such as medical records or fact testimony from other witnesses, can also support the victim’s testimony.

If you file a sexual abuse lawsuit in Michigan, the case will be public record. However, you may be able to keep your name and identity confidential. Michigan’s court rules allow victims to keep their names confidential and use “Jane Doe” or initials in court filings.

Definition of Sexual Abuse in Michigan

In Michigan, sexual assault or battery means touching someone’s private parts without their agreement, and it’s usually for sexual pleasure. This includes anything from touching inappropriately at a party to forcing someone to have sex.

To prove sexual battery in Michigan, two things must be true: first, there must be a sexual purpose behind the touching, and second, the person being touched didn’t agree to it. Accidentally touching someone doesn’t count.

Also, if the person being touched is under 18, they can’t agree to any sexual touching legally. So, any sexual contact with a minor by an adult is automatically considered sexual battery because the minor can’t give consent.

Michigan Statute of Limitations for Civil Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Michigan is among those states that have recently enacted new laws making it easier for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits and get compensation. Under the new Michigan law, adult victims of sexual abuse have 10 years from the date of the abuse to file a civil lawsuit. Victims of child sexual abuse have until their 28^th birthday to file a civil lawsuit, or 3 years after they “discover” that they were victims of abuse, whichever is later. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5851

The Michigan legislature is currently considering another new law that would make it even easier for victims to sue for sexual abuse. The new law would create a 2-year revival window for victims of sexual abuse to file lawsuits even when the abuse occurred decades ago.

Third Party Liability in Michigan Sex Abuse Lawsuits

In a civil lawsuit about sexual abuse, the main person you might sue is the one who did the abusing. But if that person can’t pay or is in jail, it might not help much.

The smart move is to go after other organizations that could have stopped the abuse but didn’t. These could be places like schools, churches, or big companies. They usually have money to pay if they’re found responsible.

Here is an example of how this can work. Let’s say Jane was sexually abused by her high school teacher, Jim. Although Jane did not disclose the abuse, the school had received other reports and complaints about Jim’s inappropriate conduct with students, which it failed to investigate. In this case, Jane could bring a sexual abuse lawsuit against the school, alleging negligence in its failure to investigate Jim and protect Jane and other students from potential harm.

Dr. Anderson University of Michigan Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Dr. Robert Anderson worked for the University of Michigan from 1967 to 2003. During that time, he sexually abused thousands of students by subjecting them to inappropriate and invasive physical examinations. Many of these victims came forward and filed a lawsuit against the University. In 2022, the U of M agreed to pay $490 million to settle these claims.

Learn more about Dr. Anderson University of Michigan sex abuse lawsuits.

Michigan Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Sexual abuse of minors in Michigan’s juvenile detention facilities has been a major problem for a very long time. Thankfully, a growing number of victims who were sexually abused in Michigan juvenile correctional and treatment centers are now coming forward and filing detention center sex abuse lawsuits against the state. These lawsuits allege that the state of Michigan (and private companies contracted by the state) have allowed a pervasive culture of abuse to exist for decades. Our firm is currently seeking Michigan juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits from anyone who was abused at a juvenile facility in Michigan.

An employer like a detention center can be held vicariously liable for an employee’s torts under Michigan law if: (1) the employee’s actions fall within the scope of their employment, or (2) the actions fall outside the scope of employment but were foreseeable because the employer knew or should have known about the employee’s propensities or criminal history.

Using the State of Michigan in Juvenile Hall Lawsuits

Michigan state entities, such as detention centers, are generally immune from tort liability unless plaintiffs comply with strict statutory notice requirements.

Under MCL 600.6431, claimants must file a timely notice of intent to sue, and failure to meet this condition, even in the absence of prejudice, warrants dismissal of claims. The fraudulent concealment exception in MCL 600.5855 provides limited relief, allowing the tolling of notice periods when a defendant’s affirmative acts or misrepresentations intentionally prevent discovery of a claim. However, mere silence or non-action does not qualify as fraudulent concealment. Plaintiffs must allege specific affirmative acts to invoke this exception.

Michigan Residential Treatment Center Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Residential treatment facilities are designed to provide inpatient mental health services for individuals struggling with addiction, depression, eating disorders, and other challenges. In states like Michigan, these facilities also serve as placements for juveniles in need of intensive support, often funded by state programs. Residents at residential treatment centers are frequently victims of sexual abuse by staff members, which has led to a growing number of residential treatment center sex abuse lawsuits.

No one should be surprised by this. The very structure of these facilities creates an environment ripe for exploitation. Many residents are vulnerable children and teenagers who may already have a history of trauma, abuse, or neglect. This vulnerability, combined with the authority and access granted to staff members, creates a dangerous imbalance of power that is too often exploited. A part of the problem is that many of these for-profit facilities focus on profits over child safety.

Our sex abuse lawyers are seeing a remarkable increase in claims of sexual abuse within residential treatment centers. Staff members in these facilities sometimes exploit their positions of trust and authority, preying on residents who may be too afraid, ashamed, or just feel like no one will believe them. Residential treatment facility lawsuits drill down on what are often awful systemic failures in supervision, hiring practices, and abuse prevention protocols within the facilities.

The growing number of lawsuits against residential treatment centers reflects both the scale of the problem and the remarkable courage of survivors who come forward. These lawsuits hold the facilities accountable for their negligence and to seek justice for victims. They also shed real light on the urgent need for reform, demanding stricter oversight, better staff training, and more effective protections for the vulnerable individuals entrusted to these centers’ care.

Below are some of the major residential treatment facilities in Michigan:

StoneCrest Center (Detroit, MI)
Sanford Behavioral Health (Marne, MI)
Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery (Brighton, MI)
Great Lakes Recovery Centers Inc – Adult Residential Services (Marquette, MI)
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services (Grand Rapids, MI)
Hope Network Behavioral Health Services (Grand Rapids, MI)
Rose Hill Center (Holly, MI)
Turning Leaf Behavioral Health Services (Lansing, MI)
Dawn Farm (Ypsilanti, MI)
Harbor Hall Residential Treatment Center (Petoskey, MI)

Michigan Sex Abuse Settlements and Verdicts

$490,000,000 Settlement: More than 1,000 ex-student athletes are sued the University of Michigan, saying a former football team doctor sexually assaulted them. The University agreed to pay $490 million to settle these cases. Around 1,050 people will get $460 million, which averages to about $438,000 per person (although the amounts won’t be the same for everyone). Another $60 million will be kept aside in case more people come forward with claims before July 31, 2023.
$779,863 Verdict: A female suffered emotional distress and psychological trauma when the male defendant psychiatrist, during a course of treatment to deal with the plaintiff’s childhood sexual abuse, had repeated sexual encounters with her. The plaintiff contended that the defendant was negligent in engaging in unethical and unprofessional conduct. The defendant denied negligence and contended that the plaintiff had not, as she claimed, experienced sexual abuse as a child.
$925,000 Settlement: The plaintiff, a female, allegedly suffered sexual abuse and emotional distress when she underwent psychological treatment at the defendant’s facilities. The plaintiff contended that the defendant failed to properly hire, train and supervise its counselors in the proper protocols for treating its patients. The plaintiff further contended that she was sexually assaulted by employees, that several employees had knowledge of the incidents but failed to report the assaults, and that the defendant failed to ensure the safety of its patients.
$300,000 Settlement: A 25-year-old female contended that the defendant psychotherapist engaged in sexual intercourse with her during her treatment under the guise of necessary therapy. The plaintiff claimed that the relationship began when she was under age and lasted for 7 years and that frequently, therapy sessions would end with oral sex.
$50,000 Settlement: A 37-year-old female claimed to have suffered emotional distress when she was allegedly seduced into having sex with her psychology professor who taught at the co-defendant community college. The plaintiff contended that the defendant professor induced her to have sex with him in his office in exchange for an ‘A‘ grade. The plaintiff, who had reported the incident to various psychologists under which she had been receiving counseling, also contended that the defendant called her repeatedly at home and followed her around campus.
$112,500 Settlement: A female minor suffered emotional distress when she was sexually abused by a foster father and his son after she was placed in their care by the defendant. The plaintiff contended that the defendant failed to perform a thorough background check of the nonparty foster family before placing the plaintiff in their care, that it failed to protect the plaintiff from sexual abuse, and that its negligence resulted in the plaintiff’s injury.
$150,000 Settlement: A 10-year-old female student suffered sexual abuse and emotional distress when she was assaulted by the defendant cable company’s employee while he was in the plaintiff’s home to do service work. The plaintiff contended that the defendant was negligent in sending a violent person into a private residence, in failing to check the employee’s criminal history, and in hiring him for the position.

Hiring a Michigan Sex Abuse Lawyer

Our law firm handles sex abuse lawsuits in Michigan and across the nation. When you hire us, we work pair ourselves with the best Michigan sex abuse lawyers and pay them out of our attorney fees if you win. This means that you will not have to pay any additional contingency fees and you get two law firms for he price of one.

You can get a free no-obligation consultation online or call us today at 800-553-8082.