Attorneys bringing UW sexual abuse lawsuit say, “what allegedly occurred at Cornell isn’t confined to that campus alone.”

Attorneys at Hagens Berman are representing an anonymous survivor of a sexual assault that occurred at University of Washington’s Pi Kappa Phi fraternity in Seattle where despite UW’s alleged knowledge of the offender’s restraining order for prior sexual misconduct, the university failed to protect her from the foreseeable risk of harm.

As attorneys prepare for trial against UW scheduled to begin Oct. 18, 2027, the firm’s client, anonymously identified in the filing as A.P., seeks to embolden other survivors to speak out.

“The social cause our client wants to target is simple: the public must be made aware that this happens in our own communities. Sexual abuse does occur in frat houses. It occurs at frat houses at UW, and we suspect at many schools,” said Steve Berman, Hagens Berman managing partner. “We believe UW must take responsibility to protect its students in its Greek system when it benefits greatly from Greek Row as a revenue source and calling card for applicants.”

“When sexual abuse makes national news, no one wants to imagine it close to home, but our lawsuit shows that what allegedly occurred at Cornell isn’t confined to that campus alone,” he added.

UW’s Alleged Failure to Protect

Seattle attorneys at Hagens Berman filed the lawsuit in King County Superior Court in 2025, alleging the University of Washington committed negligence and violated its duty of care under state law by failing to regulate, monitor or restrict the fraternity member and to protect fellow students.

The lawsuit accuses UW of failing to protect its students from Wyatt Ohara, a then student and Pi Kappa Phi member who enrolled with a restraining order against him in effect for inappropriate sexual behavior. “Yet, despite being fully advised of Mr. Ohara’s inappropriate sexual behavior and restraining order, UW and Pi Kappa allowed Mr. Ohara to join and attend events centered around alcohol with female students,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit’s events begin prior to A.P. or Ohara attending UW when another female student, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe 2, obtained the restraining order against Ohara. Aware of this, according to the lawsuit, UW admitted both students anyway, and both joined UW’s Greek system. Under the terms of the restraining order, Ohara was barred from attending the same parties as Jane Doe 2.

According to the lawsuit, on Nov. 19, 2022, the lawsuit’s plaintiff, A.P., attended two parties at the fraternity house – a brunch and later a tailgate at the Pi Kappa “live-out” where Ohara allegedly provided A.P., who was a minor, with excessive amounts of alcohol.

Ohara then took A.P. from the Pi Kappa live-out to the fraternity house where he proceeded to sexually assault her while she was completely unconscious, according to the lawsuit. Ohara would later admit to these acts, and on Nov. 22, 2024, pled guilty to rape in the third degree.

Recent Changes for Survivors of On-Campus Sexual Abuse and Harassment

Attorneys say recent changes to Washington’s state laws open doors for survivors of sexual misconduct, allowing plaintiffs to bring claims against universities deeming them to have a special relationship with fraternities and sororities, and therefore a duty of care.

In 2026, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that Washington State University had a duty to protect students like Sam Martinez, who died of alcohol poisoning after an Alpha Tau Omega fraternity hazing incident. According to attorneys, universities have a responsibility to protect students from hazing, sexual assault and other forms of violence and harm at fraternities and sororities they officially recognize.

“Our client has shown tremendous courage in coming forward, but survivors shouldn’t have to carry the burden of fixing broken systems. That belongs to the University of Washington and Pi Kappa Phi,” Berman said. “This lawsuit is about making change, and any survivor who is ready to share their story deserves to be heard and supported.”

“Hopefully, but sadly, litigation may be the only way to make schools take the appropriate steps to protect their students,” he added.

Read about the lawsuit against the University of Washington or speak confidentially with our team about your own experience with on-campus or fraternity sexual abuse.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation law firm with a tenacious drive for achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. Since its founding in 1993, the firm’s determination has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261013033417/en/

“When sexual abuse makes national news, no one wants to imagine it close to home, but our lawsuit shows that what allegedly occurred at Cornell isn’t confined to that campus alone,” Berman added.