Reports surfaced Sunday afternoon that Penn State University will be hit with a civil suit arising out of the alleged abuse by Jerry Sandusky and administrators’ failure to take action. The Daily Beast reported that two legal teams are preparing civil suits against the University – claims that may only grow in the coming days and weeks.
Via Jessica Bennett of The Daily Beast:
"This may be the most high-profile sexual abuse case ever," says Benjamin Andreozzi, a Harrisburg, Pa., lawyer who is representing at least one of the victims listed in grand jury filings. Adreozzi noted that once other potential victims see that they’re "not alone," perhaps they’ll come forward, too.
Bennett cites experts that say the University will likely be sued via a civil rights action, claiming the administration violated the victims’ 14th amendment right to bodily integrity in failing to warn the correct law enforcement agencies. Using the 14th amendment is a popular cause of action in rape and sexual assault civil suits.
In addition to the victims’ suits, administrators could also be the target of a state action for negligence, alleging that they failed to take reasonable care in light of the claims against Sandusky.
One can be sure that this is just the tip of the iceberg in the legal fallout from the scandal.
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