Title IX lawsuit settled for $2.48 million

[junder13]

Yeah, unfortunately the saying of 'good luck finding a good lawyer' comes into play. In most high profile cases, regardless of the content of the trial, lawyers only see the money (or publicity) of the case and not justice those involved, both sides. Not seeking the right thing, rather the selfish thing (for them and their goals).

That said, not all lawyers are bad or greedy, just 'good luck finding a good lawyer'.

I am in no position to judge the merit of individual cases, as I know none of the facts. My opinion was only held on the lawsuit against the university and the claim that UT had a "culture of rape". I continue to believe that such an outrageous accusation is baseless. As for the individual cases, there very well could be merit. If so, those cases should be held on their own against the accused, not the university.

As I stated moments ago, however, upon reading from LWS that it became an issue of procedural failures on the part of UT, I understood why UT chose to settle. I still don't view the lawsuit against UT and the merit of the 8 individual cases on their own as one-in-the-same.

And, yes, I agree that finding a quality lawyer to represent someone on an individual case basis is challenging. It's not surprising that there was more appeal in lumping 8 together (with several weak claims probably diluting the any that may have merit on their own) for a very public Title IX lawsuit than approaching them individually. But our lawyer infested political system has yielded us a litigious society where lawsuits often only enrich the lawyers on both sides of the aisle and do little else.

Anyway, I'm ready to let this topic be put to rest.

*Edit: I did not change what I originally wrote here but upon looking more into the civil suit against UT it appears to me that the university did enable an environment of clemency (at a minimum) and the intention behind the lawsuit (to force change in how UT addresses/approaches a sexual assault case/victim) was both successful and necessary. In that regard, UT definitely made the right decision to settle. For the sake of justice, I wish the deposition had been made public so that it would shine light on which administrators (paid public employees) allowed for such (or pushed for such) an environment to exist. I view the settlement terms as a public funding effort (I care not which "pool" of assets it comes from) to protect the identity of those public servants who may have played a role in enabling such an environment. This change in opinion in no way affects my view that tort reform is needed today.

 

[SolidRockGolf]

*If just one of the 8 was real
*If UT made more steps to protect real rape victims
*If UT educates our boys better then before
*If the lawsuit stops one woman from being raped in the future
*If it hushes most of the talk about us in the media
Then it was worth the settlement and a win for everyone.

If some or all were money grabs on false claims then they will have to pay in life for their lies. It all works out in the end.

I personally see this as a great relief and am ready to move in.

 

[gunner]

Wonder what the next one's gonna cost.

Ask FSU, they paid 8 million for thier last Title IV lawsuit.

UT has set an ugly precedent in their haste to make this go away.

 

[82_VOL_83]

Lol what?
You asked what we would do if we felt the cops were of no help and we wanted justice.

I answered honestly but you didn't like the answer so I got the PC talking points extravaganza.

Next time don't ask.

With the suit they filed what justice were they seeking? The ONLY outcome was going to be getting in UT's wallet, have UT acknowledge guilt, fire people, and change their system. They got chump change and a shoulder shrug. This was a lawyer lead money grab from day one. Do I believe UT complicit in one of these cases, yes. Makenjula (sp?) was covered up and allowed to play. Williams may also be convicted. However, was this a gross violation of Title IX? No. The remainder all have the feel of contrived lawsuits. Especially allowing a non victim to claim to be a victim and dredging up Manning's crazy ass accuser.

The issues at FSU and Baylor were real and documented. UT was a witch hunt that came up empty.

 

[Fijivol72]

This action was never anything but a money grab.I resent these plaintiffs and what they tried to do. Title 9 was not intended to include individual rape allegations. It was a self righteous piece of legislation in our pc world to put women's athletics on the same footing as men's sports.

 

[82_VOL_83]

I wish more had this view. Everyone just wants it settled for the sake of ease and for recruiting. The reputation of the university and our athletics program be damned, we don't want to have to hear about this during the football season!

FTR, I don't think the lawsuit played into our 2017 recruiting class being disappointing thus far as many fans would like to believe. But, even if it did, I still would not agree with settling a frivolous and meritless lawsuit.

FTR your assumption of "everyone" is misplaced. Many on VN wanted this fought. This was slated to go to trial in 2018. By then the entire suit would have unraveled. I didn't want them to settle, I wanted UT to fight this all the way. I wanted the frivolous portions to be debunked and if one or two of the plaintiffs had a case for it to be brought to light. This would have been justice. Unfortunately for the plaintiffs, the lawyers fees were shrinking the longer this went on. I am willing bet, the plaintiffs asked to settle, not UT. The settlement was laughable compared to the grandstanding.

 

[82_VOL_83]

Ask FSU, they paid 8 million for thier last Title IV lawsuit.

UT has set an ugly precedent in their haste to make this go away.

UT didn't make this go away, plaintiffs did. Small $$ and no admission of guilt? Sounds like UT won this one.

 

[JohnD13]

Yea, but 310K for saying "he did this" is a lot of clams.

Ummm no not really. could have been a factor of 10 if they won... Legal system is not about justice. Not about right vs wrong as most people think. it's about if you can win. This while short term looks bad was the right thing to do.

 

[JohnD13]

I wish more had this view. Everyone just wants it settled for the sake of ease and for recruiting. The reputation of the university and our athletics program be damned, we don't want to have to hear about this during the football season!

FTR, I don't think the lawsuit played into our 2017 recruiting class being disappointing thus far as many fans would like to believe. But, even if it did, I still would not agree with settling a frivolous and meritless lawsuit.

Obvious you aren't in the business world. You can fight every time you are right and still go broke and get bad publicity. Sometimes you have to settle. It's really that simple.

 

[JohnD13]

Ask FSU, they paid 8 million for thier last Title IV lawsuit.

UT has set an ugly precedent in their haste to make this go away.

OMG. Message board posters make horrible lawyers. Glad you have no say so in matters like this

 

[Coug]

Lol.....without paying lawyers, for eight plaintiffs, it comes out to $310,000 each. Since the lawyers get theirs first.....then taxes. May be enough to buy an average house somewhere.

According to the Tennessean the plaintiffs will receive $180K each, assuming 40% for the attorneys and court fees and stuff.

So basically each plaintiff gets enough to pay for their education if that is what they really wanted like they said.

I got $270,00 to each alleged victim but averaging all the numbers up that I'm seeing in the thread and taking away roughly 50K owed in 4 years of students loans these women are walking away with easily $130,000 cash.

Whatever though, all 8 of them will probably blow it all away anyway.

 

[overseasorange2]

Sure there is if it's likely to cost more to fight it. Happens all the time

In fact, that is a deal just to get rid of the negative publicity, and as a negative recruiting tool for the likes of Coach epper: at Clemson.

 

[chargervol]

You answered honestly for someone who hasn't really thought about it. It's not like a criminal trial. The victim doesn't get to keep anonimity if she sues. You're acting like it's a basic thing to publicly go thru a civil trial focused on invading your most private life. And doing all that with no guarantee that you'll win.

Saying a settlement doesn't qualify as "justice" is amazingly shallow thinking.

Don't get to keep your anonymity like with a criminal trial? You believe all the women in the past, who wanted justice, didn't go through this?
And yes that's how you spell anonymity.
And I don't even get to make an Alabama joke because some Vol fan came through and liked your post.

 

[Special Ed]

I feel like you just assaulted me and I really didn't like your use of the word "clams". It sounds sexual.

If "clams" sounds sexual, you may have an undiagnosed seafood fetish.

 

[bamawriter]

Don't get to keep your anonymity like with a criminal trial? You believe all the women in the past, who wanted justice, didn't go through this?

Most Title IX related lawsuits settle in the same way that most lawsuits settle, period. Most injury lawsuits related to rape settle in the same way that most lawsuits settle, period.

I pray that no one ever has to go thru this kind of violation. If you have a daughter I wish it that much more, because it seems like, if she is willing to settle to avoid an invasive litigation, her dad is going to assume she's a liar, a gold digger, or a slut - maybe all three.

 

[chargervol]

Most Title IX related lawsuits settle in the same way that most lawsuits settle, period. Most injury lawsuits related to rape settle in the same way that most lawsuits settle, period.

I pray that no one ever has to go thru this kind of violation. If you have a daughter I wish it that much more, because it seems like, if she is willing to settle to avoid an invasive litigation, her dad is going to assume she's a liar, a gold digger, or a slut - maybe all three.

I have a daughter and honestly, I suggest you stop right there.
The most realistic cases with Williams and Johnson are being prosecuted criminally which is what I would be after, as a father. Don't you ever say something like that to me again.

You wouldn't have to worry about when to settle, because a financial lawsuit would be the last attempt I would think of.
Unfortunately, with people like you, financial gain instead of criminal justice is much more common than it should be in life today.

 

[LWSVOL]

Does it take that long for non-athletes to go before the student conduct board? Serious question.

I don't know why it would or should.. its a question I would have to ask someone more familiar with that process

 

[LWSVOL]

I thought the lawyers from the law suit had filed something to postpone the review which is why it has not been held - I could be mistaken but thought I had read that somewhere.

If that is true, then it is not a process issue but a result of the law suit.

I haven't heard that but it could be the case.

 

[EZE]

Obvious you aren't in the business world. You can fight every time you are right and still go broke and get bad publicity. Sometimes you have to settle. It's really that simple.

This times infinity. Anytime an organization can put litigation behind them for less than the cost of litigating, they are wise to do it unless there is some overriding factor. Especially here. I don't agree with the "culture of rape" crap, but there is no denying that some bad things probably did happen, and the response wasn't perfect every time it did. We have humans as administrators, and nobody is perfect. There is a chance UT could lose and an even bigger chance that the University would look bad even if it prevailed.

As somebody else pointed out, this isn't a big settlement number. After attorney fees and costs are deducted, the plaintiffs will be lucky to see 100-150k each. Sounds like a lot, but certainly not going to lead to a retirement on easy street.

 

[bamawriter]

I have a daughter and honestly, I suggest you stop right there.
The most realistic cases with Williams and Johnson are being prosecuted criminally which is what I would be after, as a father. Don't you ever say something like that to me again.

You wouldn't have to worry about when to settle, because a financial lawsuit would be the last attempt I would think of.
Unfortunately, with people like you, financial gain instead of criminal justice is much more common than it should be in life today.

Were Ron and Nicole's parents not seeking justice when they sued OJ for the wrongful death of their children?

I have a daughter, too. My only thought would be to see that she gets what she wants. She can't control whether the criminal justice system locks away the guy who hurt her. So if she wants to get money from an institution she thinks failed to protect her, then fine. I'm sure as heck not telling her she has to fight it out or she isn't seeking justice.

 

[norrislakevol]

Most Title IX related lawsuits settle in the same way that most lawsuits settle, period. Most injury lawsuits related to rape settle in the same way that most lawsuits settle, period.

I pray that no one ever has to go thru this kind of violation. If you have a daughter I wish it that much more, because it seems like, if she is willing to settle to avoid an invasive litigation, her dad is going to assume she's a liar, a gold digger, or a slut - maybe all three.

These women ARE all gold diggers, anyone with a brain can see that. However, you are a Toothless Tuscalooser fan so the whole "brain" part may be in question with you.

 

[LWSVOL]

I wish more had this view. Everyone just wants it settled for the sake of ease and for recruiting. The reputation of the university and our athletics program be damned, we don't want to have to hear about this during the football season!

FTR, I don't think the lawsuit played into our 2017 recruiting class being disappointing thus far as many fans would like to believe. But, even if it did, I still would not agree with settling a frivolous and meritless lawsuit.

its hard to quantify but it was having an impact on recruiting. In John Brice's post on 247 about the settlement here is how he stated the impact on recruiting:

"It's especially important from a recruiting standpoint. It's a major negative that overall will begin to fade away. "

Personally, I think the fade will be slow. Rival coaches will continue to use it for a while. through this cycle for sure

 

[bamawriter]

These women ARE all gold diggers, anyone with a brain can see that. However, you are a Toothless Tuscalooser fan so the whole "brain" part may be in question with you.

I don't know any of the facts here and neither do you. I have gone out of my way to assume neither guilt nor innocence. You've gone out of your way to be a knuckle-dragging neanderthal.

 

[chargervol]

Were Ron and Nicole's parents not seeking justice when they sued OJ for the wrongful death of their children?

I have a daughter, too. My only thought would be to see that she gets what she wants. She can't control whether the criminal justice system locks away the guy who hurt her. So if she wants to get money from an institution she thinks failed to protect her, then fine. I'm sure as heck not telling her she has to fight it out or she isn't seeking justice.

OJ was tried criminally first.
That is a huge difference.
Their lawsuit was a last-ditch effort to make OJ pay.
The majority of these girls went straight to financial lawsuit and it's against UT not the people they said are responsible.
Surely you see how that's not getting justice against those they are accusing?

If none of this has any bearing on your opinion, we'll call it an impasse. The example you gave, is a good reason lawsuits should exist. Unfortunately, it is the polar opposite of what is happening here.

 

[madbamahater]

Handing over somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 to each plantiff for UT is like me handing someone $10 or $20 to go away.

Assuming the attorney's portion and other fees are as mentioned in this thread.

It is remarkable to me that the plantiff side has agreed to such low figures. If any side is to "blame" for the settlement, it's the party(ies) fault for accepting.

UT was clearly ready to keep pushing and possibly even trial. They knew the case was weak and probably not winnable. However, another year of legal fees and other factors, Tennessee is getting out extremely on the cheap side.

They won the bargaining side of this civil ordeal, which means they won.

The whole thing was about money at the end of the day. If you don't see that you are choosing to be dumb.

If it wasn't about money, you take this mother****er to trial. If you are the accuser. That is, unless your case can't hold water. Period!