Former Jacksonville Jaguars Kicker Facing Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Seeking Dismissal Due to Anonymous Nature of Claim
On August 29th, 2024, News 4 Jax reported that Brandon McManus—a former kicker for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars—is facing a civil sexual assault lawsuit. Through his legal counsel, he is moving for a dismissal of the lawsuit because the accusers have not identified themselves. They are bringing a claim under the Doe Doctrine. In this article, our Miami civil sexual assault lawyer provides a more comprehensive overview of the case.
The Allegations: Sexual Misconduct on NFL Team Plane By Former Jaguars Player
As reported News 4 Jax, former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus was accused of sexual assault by two flight attendants. The civil lawsuit—filed in a court in Florida—alleged that the incident occurred during a team flight in September of 2023 when the Jaguars were returning from their annual game in London.
The lawsuit alleges that the former NFL kicker made inappropriate physical contact with the women, including “rubbing himself” on them. The Jaguars organization is also being sued for not properly supervising McManus and failing to ensure a safe environment. The Jaguars reportedly allowed alcohol on the team plane, a rarity in the NFL. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 million in compensation. For his part, Mr. McManus has denied any wrongdoing.
Defendant Wants Civil Lawsuit Dismissed
Legal representatives for Mr. McManmus filed a motion to get the civil sexual assault lawsuit dismissed. Specifically, the motion argues that the plaintiffs should not be permitted to move forward with an anonymous complaint. The two accusers have filed the lawsuit anonymously as “Jane Doe”—meaning their identities have not been revealed to the public. The defense argues that this anonymity complicates McManus’ ability to fully address and respond to the allegations.
Understanding the Doe Doctrine for Civil Sexual Assault Claims
As a general rule, a person who files a civil complaint (plaintiff) will be identified in the complaint. There is no automatic right to be able to proceed with a complaint anonymously. Quite the contrary, doing so is quite rare.
However, the court system recognizes that for certain sensitive matters—including for allegations of sexual misconduct—it is in the interests of justice to allow victims to proceed anonymously. In civil sexual assault cases, the use of “Doe” pseudonyms allows plaintiffs to shield their identities while pursuing legal actions.
At the same time, the anonymity provided by the Doe Doctrine can also lead to complications. A defendant may argue that the lack of transparency inhibits their ability to raise a defense. Whether a plaintiff (victim) will be allowed to proceed anonymously—as a Doe plaintiff—is determined by the court on a case-by-case basis.
Consult With Our Miami Civil Sexual Assault Attorney for Victims Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami civil sexual assault lawyers are devoted to fighting for justice for victims. If you have any questions about bringing a civil sexual assault claim as an anonymous plaintiff, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, completely confidential initial consultation. With offices in Miami and West Palm Beach, we represent sexual assault victims in civil legal claims all across South Florida, including in Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, and Broward County.
Source:
news4jax.com/news/local/2024/08/29/ex-jaguars-kicker-wants-lawsuit-dismissed-because-women-accusing-him-of-sexual-assault-wont-identify-themselves/
