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, on college campuses, failures in a school's obligation to respond under Title IX.

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 Title IX process — and a federal complaint to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, which generally must be filed within 180 calendar days — addresses how the school responds to sexual harassment and assault. It is not the same thing as a civil claim for damages, and pursuing one does not require or replace the other. Understanding both tracks early keeps every option open.

Public schools answer under special rules — and short clocks

Claims involving public school districts and state universities run into Michigan's governmental-immunity statute: the institution is immune from many negligence theories, individual employees are generally liable only for gross negligence, and intentional torts like assault are treated under their own rules. Some claims against state institutions must also be preceded by a formal written notice in the Michigan Court of Claims — for personal-injury claims, within six months of the event. These rules do not make a case impossible; they make early legal review essential.

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.