This lawsuit against the University of Washington (UW) accuses the higher ed institution of breaching its duty of care and violating other state laws after a Pi Kappa Phi fraternity member sexually victimized a first-year student, identified in the lawsuit anonymously as A.P.

According to the lawsuit, UW knew of previous inappropriate behavior from the frat member, Wyatt Ohara, including an active restraining order and inappropriate sexual conduct. Despite UW’s knowledge of Wyatt’s history, the university failed to protect its own students.

WHAT ALLEGEDLY HAPPENED AT UW’s PI KAPPA PHI FRAT HOUSE?

According to the lawsuit, filed Nov. 19, 2022, and brought against Ohara and the University of Washington, A.P. attended two parties at the fraternity house – a brunch and later a tailgate dubbed Pi Kappa “live-out” – where she was served “excessive amounts of alcohol as a minor.”

A.P. and Ohara did not know one another. During the tailgate event, Ohara allegedly provided A.P. with excessive amounts of alcohol, prior to which she did not appear intoxicated. “However, after drinking on the balcony with Mr. Ohara, A.P. was intoxicated to the point where she could not stand on her own nor verbally complete full sentences,” the lawsuit states.

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. Fellow students eventually gained access to the room, despite the locked door, where they observed A.P. impaired and noted her blood in Ohara’s bed, the lawsuit states.

Following, Ohara admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with A.P., and on Nov. 22, 2024, pled guilty to rape in the third degree.

WHAT DID UW ALLEGEDLY KNOW?

Before enrolling at UW, another female student, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe 2, had obtained a restraining order against Ohara for inappropriate sexual behavior. The lawsuit alleges UW knew about the restraining order and admitted both students anyway.

Both Jane Doe 2 and Mr. Ohara joined the UW Greek system, and the terms of the restraining order barred Ohara from attending the same parties as Jane Doe 2. “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 complaint argues that UW violated its duty of care under the law by failing to regulate, monitor or restrict Ohara’s involvement and protect fellow students.

WHAT RIGHTS DO STUDENTS HAVE AGAINST UNIVERSITIES IN SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWSUITS?

On July 30, 2026, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Martinez v. Washington State University (WSU). The court ruled that WSU had a duty to protect students like Sam Martinez, who died of alcohol poisoning after an Alpha Tau Omega fraternity hazing incident.

“It should surprise no one that a house run by young men and full of other young men, many away from home for the first time in their lives, is fertile ground for abusing alcohol and engaging in dangerous initiation rituals," Supreme Court Justice Sal Mungia wrote. “It was certainly no surprise to WSU.”

The Martinez case involved hazing, but its reasoning brings rights to student survivors of on-campus sexual assault, too. The court held that universities have a special relationship with the fraternities and sororities they officially recognize, meaning the institutions collectively have a responsibility to protect students from hazing, sexual assault and other forms of violence and harm.

HOW CAN A LAWSUIT AGAINST A UNIVERSITY HELP VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT?

Hagens Berman’s sexual assault team represents survivors in individual lawsuits against people and institutions responsible for sexual assault, rape, harassment and other egregious acts.

We believe survivors deserve to be heard and believed, to have their day in court and pursue resolution.

Lawsuits can help a survivor:

Hold accountable the abuser and institutions that failed to act
Recover monetary restitution they justly deserve
Bring misconduct into the open and help prevent future abuse

Additionally, the firm’s client seeks to empower and embolden others who may have faced similar circumstances.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning the survivors we represent pay nothing at all unless we win. There is no scenario where any individual will be asked to pay out-of-pocket attorney fees or legal costs. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to plaintiffs, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to plaintiffs’ legal team.