Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Compensation for Victims of Sexual Assault by a Medical Professional 

A doctor sexual abuse lawyer is critical for those who have been abused by a medical professional. Not only can our national law firm hold doctors and hospitals accountable in a civil lawsuit, but we can also prevent future patients from being sexually abused.

If you were mistreated by healthcare providers, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact our doctor sexual abuse attorneys for a free consultation about your legal options. 

Settlements Recovered by Our Law Firm

• $3,000,000 for a woman who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her OB-GYN
• $2,333,000 for sexual abuse at a nursing home
• $810,000 for nursing home sexual assault

How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help

Pursuing justice for medical professional sexual abuse can be overwhelming without a trusted attorney at your side. These sexual abuse lawsuits are often more complicated than others due to the multiple liable parties and insurance policies.

Our compassionate and trauma-informed hospital sexual abuse attorneys can manage every aspect of your civil suit for you so that you can focus on healing from your psychological trauma. We will gather all relevant evidence, such as medical records, healthcare facility inspections, and the healthcare practitioner’s record of complaints. 

Additionally, we can consult with trusted medical professionals who can provide insight about how sex crimes occur in health care centers and what challenges sexual abuse survivors face in the future. 

Those who have experienced sexual abuse at the hands of healthcare professionals may struggle with deep emotional trauma and fear. We aim to empower survivors to share their stories while offering invaluable emotional support. Our aim is not just to secure financial compensation, but to assure your well-being and help you heal.

Understanding Doctor Sexual Abuse

According to the Federation of State Medical Boards, physician sexual misconduct occurs when healthcare providers exploit the physician-patient relationship and power imbalances for sexual gratification. This sexual abuse is never diagnostic or therapeutic, meaning that it differs from other instances where medical professionals may have to touch patients in intimate areas. 

Doctor abuse can happen at health care centers, hospitals, private clinics, and medical schools. This sexual misconduct may be verbal, such as sexual harassment, or it may be physical, like sexual assault. Regardless, it can cause deep psychological trauma, including causing patients to fear health care providers or refuse medical care. 

Common types of doctor sexual abuse include:

• Inappropriate touching during exams
• Forcing patients to undress in front of them, or to undress when it is not medically necessary
• Sexual comments or sexual advances, such as asking a patient out on a date
• Sexually assaulting or raping patients
• Exploiting a vulnerable patient, such as one who is incapacitated, sedated, or in an altered mental state
• Coercing patients to perform sexual acts by using their authority

The American Medical Association strongly condemns sexual contact between healthcare providers and patients, as it exploits the power dynamics between doctors and those they treat. 

Doctor Sexual Abuse Statistics

One study that interviewed patients found that 4.5% of female and 1.4% of male patients reported being sexually abused by a medical professional. One-third of the sexual contact took place before the victim was 18. 

In 2016, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution released a years-long investigation into doctor sexual abuse. It found that from 1999 to 2016, more than 3,100 doctors were publicly disciplined for sexual infractions, with 2,400 sanctioned for sexual abuse of patients.  

From 2003 to 2013, 1039 physicians were reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) for sex crimes. Of these, 75.6% only had licensure reports. 70% of those with clinical privilege revocation or a malpractice payment were never censured by the medical board. 

A 2017 study of 101 reported cases found that 33% involved inappropriate touching, 31% involved sodomy, 16% involved rape, 14% involved child sexual abuse, and 7% of cases were consensual sex. Perpetrators were more likely to be male and above the age of 39, and victims were more likely to be female and younger.

Steps to Take After Experiencing Abuse by a Medical Professional

Being the victim of sex crimes can be disorienting, and you may feel alone. However, you have rights under both civil and regulatory law, and our attorneys can help you navigate these systems.

You must act quickly after a sexual assault in order to protect your physical safety and legal rights. Follow these steps as soon as possible. 

• Get Immediate Medical Care: The 2016 Survivor’s Bill of Rights prohibits health care centers from charging for rape kits (Public Law 114-236). Even if you do not intend to press criminal charges, this forensic evidence can be used in a civil lawsuit.
• Report the Abuse to the Hospital and Law Enforcement: Tell the doctor’s superiors about the sexual abuse. You can also contact the facility’s ombudsman, who can investigate the issue and inform you of next steps, like reporting to the licensing board. Lastly, call the police and provide a statement.
• Preserve Evidence: Gather all evidence you have, such as medical records, appointment requests, after-visit notes, texts, and witness names. Our experienced attorneys can use this to demonstrate liability. 
• Seek Support: Sexual abuse can cause severe emotional distress, especially when caused by a medical professional. Seek out counseling services and rely on your loved one’s support.
• Consult a Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorney: Contact us for a free and confidential consultation. We can thoroughly investigate your case and help you seek compensation from the doctor’s liability insurance. 

Evidence Needed to Support Your Case

You can still file a civil lawsuit even if you decide not to report to the police or press charges. These are two separate legal processes, though we can use similar evidence, like police reports and testimonies. 

A civil suit has a lower burden of proof than a criminal trial. Your doctor sexual abuse attorney must present a preponderance of evidence, meaning that it is more likely than not that the healthcare professional committed sexual abuse. 

Evidence we can use includes:

• Medical records and appointment logs
• Claims or legal action taken against the physician
• The facility’s inspection reports and history of complaints
• Testimony from witnesses, such as nurses or other patients
• Employment records from the perpetrator, including complaints at any other facilities
• Surveillance footage

Our sexual abuse attorneys can gain access to institutional records that may not be available to the average person. We can also consult with expert witnesses, such as psychiatrists and medical ethics experts, who can demonstrate the harm done by physician sexual abuse.

During a trial, the other parties may attempt to use your personal life against you, which we will vigorously defend against. Laws, such as Rule 412, limit the use of certain evidence, including previous sexual activity, in these cases. We will ensure that all parties adhere to these guidelines.

Liability in a Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawsuit 

A physician sexual abuse lawsuit may have multiple liable parties, such as: 

• Perpetrator: Doctors, obstetrician-gynecologists, psychiatrists, surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, and other specialists may all be held liable for committing sexual abuse.
• Nurses and Nurse Practitioners: Like doctors, nurses are tasked with protecting patients from harm. Instead of the Hippocratic Oath, nurses and nurse practitioners take the Nightingale Pledge, which calls upon them to uphold the code of ethics and ensure their patients’ well-being. If they fail to speak out against sexual abuse, they can be liable.
• Technicians and Hospital Staff: While staff members may not be mandated reporters, they have a moral obligation to report sexual abuse. If they choose not to intervene, they can be held responsible for harm done to victims.
• Medical Facilities: The facility where the doctor was employed could be liable for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention if it is clear that the organization knew or should have foreseen potential abuse. For example, a hospital can be liable if a doctor assaults a patient while performing an exam. 
• Licensing Boards: If the state licensing board is made aware of the sexual abuse but chooses not to reprimand the physician, then they could be held accountable for failing to protect patients. 

Financial Compensation Awarded to Doctor Sexual Abuse Survivors

The purpose of a sexual abuse civil lawsuit is to seek financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. We will negotiate with the doctor’s insurance provider by writing a demand letter and reviewing their counteroffers. 

Your damages can include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Many abuse cases settle out of court, sparing you the need to speak at trial. However, it’s sometimes necessary to file a lawsuit. If your civil lawsuit goes to trial, the jury may award punitive damages. This is meant to prevent the doctor from causing further harm to other patients. 

Notable Cases

The median medical settlement for sexual assault cases involving doctors currently stands at $1,462,500. Here are some cases that illustrate how compensation can vary:

• A woman was sexually assaulted during a post-surgery exam. After filing reports and a lawsuit, the doctor failed to appear in court, and a default judgment awarded her $313,550 for emotional distress and medical expenses.
• Two women sued a doctor for sexual assault during medical visits. The jury awarded each woman $125,000, including punitive damages, and $10,000 total to four children for loss of parental consortium. The medical group settled separately for an undisclosed amount.
• $1,500,000 jury verdict for a 15-year-old high-school student after a pediatrician inappropriately touched her during a home visit. 

Statute of Limitations in Medical and Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Every state sets its own statute of limitations for personal injury claims, typically ranging from two to three years. However, sexual abuse cases—especially those involving minors—often follow different rules. 

When the victim is a child, the statute of limitations is usually tolled, or paused, until they turn 18. Many states also allow additional time beyond that, depending on the circumstances.

In cases involving repressed memories, trauma, or delayed recognition of the abuse, courts may apply a “delayed discovery” rule. This tolls the statute of limitations until the victim becomes aware of the abuse and its impact.

Because these laws vary significantly by state and depend heavily on specific facts, it’s crucial to consult a doctor sexual abuse attorney who understands your state’s deadlines and can help protect your right to file a claim.

Consult a Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorney! 

Our passionate legal advocates will help you seek compensation for the deep harm done by a doctor’s abuse of trust. We have a 98% success rate and have worked with over 5,000 clients, including those who were assaulted by medical providers. 

The Injury Lawyer Team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation for you. To schedule your free consultation with our experienced sexual abuse lawyers, call us at 866-757-6452 or use our online form.