On June 13, 2019, The University of Southern California’s (USC’s) $215 million settlement to resolve proposed class claims alleging that a former gynecologist, Dr. George Tyndall, sexually abused women for decades, has received preliminary approval. A California federal judge had previously rejected an earlier version of the settlement.

Under the terms of the settlement, the women treated during the physician’s three-decade career, which is estimated to exceed 15,000 patients, would each be eligible to receive between $2,500 and $250,000. The amount each plaintiff receives will depend on the severity of the misconduct alleged and the women’s willingness to confidentially detail those experiences in written statements or interviews. USC’s interim President, Wanda M. Austin, released a statement this week stating “[t]his settlement will provide relief to those who were affected by this difficult experience. It is an important milestone for those former patients seeking certain resolution without reliving their painful experiences.”

Class members will receive notice of the settlement in early June. Class members will have until November 7, 2019 to respond to the class settlement administrator regarding their participation. Notably, this settlement will likely not end USC’s financial exposure in this matter, as over 750 women have filed claims against USC in state court.

A copy of the settlement is available here. A copy of the district court’s rejection of an earlier version of the settlement is available here.