Stanford, family of Katie Meyer settle wrongful death lawsuit

"Stanford University announced a settlement Monday with the family of Katie Meyer, the former star soccer goalie and two-time team captain who died by suicide in 2022. The settlement resolves a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Meyer's family against the university in November 2022. At the time of her death, Meyer, 21, was facing disciplinary action for allegedly spilling coffee on a Stanford football player who was accused of sexually assaulting a female soccer player."

"The lawsuit stated that, on the night of her death, Stanford "negligently and recklessly" sent her the formal disciplinary notice that "contained threatening language regarding sanctions and potential 'removal from the university.'" A Stanford spokesperson at the time disputed the lawsuit's assertion that the university was responsible for her death. In a joint statement Monday, the school and Meyer's family announced Stanford will create a Katie Meyer Leadership Award "to be given to an exceptional Stanford student-athlete each year.""

"The university also announced that it will "adopt the principles of Katie Meyer's Law to provide support to students" who are facing the school's disciplinary process. The law was passed by the California legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2024 in honor of the former soccer player. It mandates that any California college or university that receives public funding for financial aid have a designated adviser during disciplinary procee"

Stanford University announced a settlement with Katie Meyer’s family after the former soccer goalie died by suicide in 2022. The settlement resolves a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging the university negligently and recklessly sent Meyer a disciplinary notice with threatening language about sanctions and possible removal the night she died; Stanford disputed responsibility for her death. Meyer, 21, had been facing disciplinary action after allegedly spilling coffee on a Stanford football player accused of sexually assaulting a female teammate. The university will create a Katie Meyer Leadership Award, retire her jersey, and adopt principles of Katie Meyer’s Law requiring designated advisers during disciplinary proceedings.

Read at ESPN.com