Michigan School & Campus Abuse Lawyer

Schools, universities, and youth programs take on a duty to keep students safe. When a teacher, coach, aide, or other staff member abuses that trust — or when a school ignores warning signs and lets harm continue — the institution can share responsibility for what happened.

What these matters can involve

• Sexual abuse or assault by a teacher, coach, professor, aide, or staff member in a K-12 school, university, or youth program.
• A school that failed to screen, supervise, or act on prior complaints — negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.
• Failures to follow mandatory-reporting duties or applicable Title IX obligations in education programs receiving federal financial assistance, including covered K-12 schools and universities.

Like other institutional abuse claims, these cases often depend on the school's records, prior complaints, and whether it followed its own policies.

Title IX and a civil claim are separate tracks

A school's internal process, a complaint to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and a lawsuit for damages are different procedures. OCR complaints generally must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination; OCR can waive that limit in certain circumstances. An internal report does not automatically preserve a lawsuit deadline. Review the applicable procedures separately. See OCR's complaint process.

Public schools answer under special rules — and short clocks

Public institutions and their employees can have different immunity defenses under MCL 691.1407. A negligence allegation alone does not establish liability; the defendant, legal theory, statutory conditions, and cause of the harm matter. For covered personal-injury claims against the state, MCL 600.6431(4) generally requires filing the claim or a qualifying notice with the Court of Claims within six months after the event giving rise to the claim. This is not a deadline for every claim involving a public school. Ask counsel to identify the proper defendant, court, and exceptions.

Where you can report today

• If a child may be in danger now: MDHHS Centralized Intake at 855-444-3911, answered around the clock. School administrators, counselors, and teachers are mandated reporters under Michigan law.
• OK2SAY, Michigan's confidential student-safety program run by the Michigan State Police: call 855-565-2729 or text 652729, any hour.
• Educator misconduct: the Michigan Department of Education's educator-conduct unit handles certificate discipline for teachers and administrators.
• Title IX: complaints are filed with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights through its online portal.

Our guide to Michigan survivor rights and reporting resources walks through each of these channels in plain language.

Whether the survivor is a current student or an adult coming forward years later, an early and confidential conversation can help. Tell us what happened when you are ready.