The University of Michigan faces another wave of legal action — and this time, the stakes are higher than ever.

In recent months, new filings have been added to the already complex series of lawsuits against U of M — cases that have exposed deep issues of privacy violations, data breaches, and institutional negligence. From student-athlete data being compromised to survivors of sexual misconduct still fighting for accountability, these lawsuits represent far more than legal disputes — they are a reckoning for one of Michigan’s most powerful institutions.

At their core, these cases are about accountability, transparency, and justice — values that every Michigan student, athlete, and employee deserves but too many have been denied.

Background: What the U of M Lawsuits Are About

The Origins of the Case

The University of Michigan has faced a long and troubling history of lawsuits — from sexual misconduct scandals to data breaches and privacy violations that have shaken public trust in one of the state’s most iconic institutions.

It began with allegations of sexual abuse by university personnel, including high-profile cases that revealed decades of ignored complaints and systemic failures in U of M’s reporting processes. Survivors and advocates accused the university of putting reputation over responsibility, allowing predators to harm students and athletes for years.

Then, in recent years, new lawsuits emerged — this time involving massive data breaches that compromised the personal and private information of students, employees, and student-athletes.

These breaches reportedly exposed sensitive data such as:

• Social Security numbers and academic records
• Health and medical information
• Athletic performance data
• Employment details of university staff

For many victims, this was more than a privacy violation — it was another betrayal by an institution they trusted with their futures.

Over time, these individual lawsuits have evolved into major class actions and consolidated federal cases, with new plaintiffs joining as more information becomes public. Together, they paint a picture of institutional neglect — a university that repeatedly failed to protect those who relied on it most.

What’s at Stake

At the heart of these cases are fundamental rights — the right to privacy, the right to due process, and the right to be protected from an institution’s negligence.

The lawsuits allege that U of M failed to uphold its duty to safeguard sensitive data, respond to misconduct appropriately, and create a safe environment for its students and employees.

For many, this fight isn’t about financial compensation — it’s about accountability and change.

Behind the legal filings are real people with real losses:

• Students whose personal data was exposed to hackers or sold on the dark web.
• Athletes whose private medical and performance records were shared without consent.
• Survivors of sexual misconduct still waiting for acknowledgment and justice after years of silence.

These are not abstract legal issues — they’re lived experiences of fear, frustration, and betrayal.

New Filings: What’s Changed in 2025

The Latest Court Filings

The University of Michigan legal saga continues to evolve — and 2025 has brought a wave of new court filings that significantly expand the scope of the case.

In early 2025, several new amended complaints were filed in both federal and Michigan state courts, adding additional plaintiffs and strengthening the allegations of data breaches, privacy violations, and institutional negligence.

The new filings include:

• More Plaintiffs: Dozens of additional current and former students, staff, and student-athletes have joined the lawsuits, bringing firsthand accounts of how U of M’s systems exposed their private data.
• Expanded Allegations: Plaintiffs now allege that the university failed to encrypt sensitive records, ignored warnings about outdated cybersecurity systems, and delayed notifying victims after known breaches.
• New Categories of Claims: Several of the 2025 filings introduce claims under Michigan’s Identity Theft Protection Act (MCL 445.63) — a state law requiring institutions to safeguard personal data and promptly report breaches.

Additionally, plaintiffs’ attorneys have pointed to new evidence uncovered through discovery, including internal emails and IT audits suggesting that U of M knew about vulnerabilities long before the data breaches occurred — yet failed to act.

What These Changes Mean Legally

New Legal Claims Under Privacy Laws

The 2025 amendments include specific claims under both Michigan and federal privacy laws, including:

• Michigan’s Identity Theft Protection Act (ITPA): Requires prompt notification of data breaches and imposes penalties for failure to protect sensitive personal information.
• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): A federal law prohibiting unauthorized access to computer systems and data.
• Stored Communications Act (SCA): Protects individuals against unauthorized access to their electronic records.

These claims argue that U of M’s failure to secure private data — and its delay in notifying victims — may rise to the level of statutory violations, opening the door to significant damages.

New Departments and Leaders Implicated

The latest filings reportedly name additional university departments and senior administrators as responsible parties, including IT and compliance officers who allegedly knew of security flaws but failed to act. This not only widens the net of accountability but underscores the institutional scope of the failures.

Expanded Eligibility for Victims

The filings also broaden the class definition, meaning more individuals may now qualify to join the lawsuit — including:

• Former students and staff affected by earlier data breaches, even if they are no longer affiliated with the university.
• Alumni whose information may still reside on U of M servers.
• Student-athletes whose medical or biometric data were shared or exposed without consent.

These updates make clear that you don’t have to be currently enrolled or employed at U of M to have a valid claim — if your information was compromised or misused, you may be entitled to legal protection and compensation.

What This Means for Students, Athletes, and Staff

Who May Be Affected

The expanding litigation now affects a broad and growing group of individuals tied to the University of Michigan — past and present.

If you fall into one of the categories below, you may have been impacted:

• Current and former U of M students whose personal, financial, or academic information was stored in breached systems.
• Student-athletes, including those whose medical, training, or performance data were accessed or shared without consent.
• Faculty and staff members whose employment records, Social Security numbers, or health benefits information were exposed.
• Alumni, particularly those who participated in university programs that retained data long after graduation.

Even if you haven’t received an official notification from the university, that doesn’t mean your data is safe — many victims of data breaches are never directly informed.

Potential Rights and Legal Options

Michigan’s Identity Theft Protection Act (ITPA):
Protects residents when organizations fail to secure or promptly report breaches involving personal data.

Federal Privacy Laws:

• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Targets unauthorized access to protected systems.
• Stored Communications Act (SCA): Protects electronic communications and stored data.

Negligence or Breach of Contract (Michigan Common Law):
When an institution like U of M makes promises — explicit or implied — to protect your privacy and fails to do so, you may have grounds to claim negligence or breach of duty.

Even if you haven’t been contacted about your data being compromised, you could still have a legal claim. Many individuals learn of exposure months — or even years — after the fact.

The Fight for Accountability Isn’t Over — But You Don’t Have to Fight It Alone.

The latest filings in the University of Michigan case are more than just legal documents — they’re proof that progress takes persistence. Every motion, every new plaintiff, every court update is another opportunity for those affected to be heard.

This isn’t just a lawsuit. It’s a movement toward truth, accountability, and systemic change.

At Marko Law, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Michigan’s students, athletes, employees, and families who were let down by powerful institutions. Whether your data was exposed, your privacy violated, or your trust broken, you deserve answers — and you deserve justice.

We’re here to help you understand your rights, explore your options, and take action. Because when institutions fail the people they’re supposed to protect, we don’t look the other way — we fight back.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

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