“Before Dr. Hadden, when you get calls on these doctors, you know, abusing patients under the guise of medical care, nobody would believe them [the survivors], right? And since everything has come out, and then the Adult Survivors Act, I have started cases against three different doctors. It really changed.” – Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP Partner Thomas P. Giuffra quoted in the Daily Beast
For survivors, sexual abuse from a doctor may invoke feelings of shame and confusion, in addition to physical and emotional trauma, as these so-called professionals operate under the guise of medical care. Because professionalism is expected, many patients do not immediately recognize when a line has been crossed.
Doctors and other healthcare practitioners, as well as their employers, must be held accountable for their actions when abuse occurs. Sex abuse by a doctor should never be tolerated, and victims deserve justice.
A lawsuit for sexual abuse or assault can be filed against the doctor who committed the act, as well as the hospital or institution that employs them. Filing a civil claim is a separate legal procedure from bringing criminal charges. Whereas a criminal case can lead to prison for the offender, only through a civil case can a survivor exact compensation for the traumatic harm that was done to them.
The doctor sexual abuse attorneys at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP are currently helping survivors get justice by holding doctors and hospital staff accountable, and by obtaining full and fair damages for our clients. We understand that it can be intimidating to come forward and make a report of sexual abuse against someone who is respected in the medical field and is in a position of authority. That’s why it’s important to have a team of compassionate and highly experienced attorneys on your side. We encourage you to contact our firm for a completely free and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
Thomas P. Giuffra has been called “a most outstanding advocate for his clients and a most formidable adversary for anyone up against him” by his peers and has received international acclaim for his outstanding work. Tom specializes in high-profile cases involving sexual abuse and has successfully represented clients in cases against Dr. Darius Paduch, Dr. Robert Hadden and Harvey Weinstein.
Tom’s unique approach to representation ensures that each client receives the individualized attention they deserve, staunch legal advocacy and expert advice. He strives to secure the maximum compensation available through thorough investigation, hiring experts to strengthen cases and not taking the easy way to settlements. Learn more about Tom.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of doctor sexual abuse and assault in New York:
These are just a few examples of the many doctor sexual abuse cases that have taken place in New York City. Unfortunately, these cases are not as rare as one might hope, and anyone who has been sexually assaulted by a doctor should not hesitate to reach out for help.
Our sexual assault lawyers are prepared to go the distance for victims of medical practitioner sexual abuse. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a physician, please call our firm at (212) 684-1880 for a confidential and no-obligation consultation.
The Child Victims Act of 2019 (CVA) extended the statute of limitations for child sex abuse survivors. Prior to the CVA, the deadline for survivors to file a lawsuit against their abuser was one to five years after turning 18. Survivors may now file civil lawsuits against their abusers until they reach the age of 55. Similar to the ASA, survivors can also file claims against institutions that should have been aware of the abuse.
Doctor sexual abuse can happen in many different ways, including:
Doctor sexual assault and abuse cases are typically defined as “intentional conduct,” not negligence. Since most medical malpractice insurance policies explicitly exclude liability for an intentional act like sexual assault, doctor sex abuse claims are often complex. For more information, read our article “What Is Considered Sexually Abusive Behavior From a Doctor?”
It is vital to hire an aggressive and experienced attorney who knows how to navigate the legal nuances so you can focus on your emotional and physical health. Reach out to our firm today for a free and confidential consultation.
Doctor sexual assault is a crime. A doctor who abuses patients can face imprisonment, have their medical license revoked and become a registered sex offender for life.
If you report the assault to the police, they will write up a report and investigate your claims. Whether the accused will face criminal charges is ultimately up to the district attorney.
However, victims have the power to pursue a civil claim against the doctor regardless of what steps, if any, are taken by law enforcement.
Sexual abuse is a criminal offense that can lead to prison sentences and sex offender registration. However, survivors of sexual abuse or assault can also file civil lawsuits to seek financial compensation for damages, including medical costs and non-economic damages like emotional distress. Civil claims provide an avenue for victims to pursue justice outside of criminal court and hold perpetrators and third parties accountable for negligence that may have contributed to the abuse.
A lawsuit/civil claim enables you to pursue compensation for the financial and emotional costs resulting from the abuse. Damages that may be recovered include:
The amount of compensation available in a doctor sexual abuse case will depend on several factors, including but not limited to:
Though no amount of money can take away the pain and distress of being sexually abused, money recovered from a lawsuit can help survivors pursue optimal emotional, psychological and physical care. For a free case review, please contact our attorneys today.
Anyone who has been emotionally or physically injured by unwanted sexual contact or inappropriate behavior by a physician can file a lawsuit. In some cases, witnesses to the abuse may also be eligible to file a lawsuit for negligent affliction of emotional distress against the doctor. Additionally, the spouse or domestic partner of the abused person can add a loss of consortium element to the lawsuit for the losses they have suffered.
When a child, an adult with special needs, or an older person is a victim of doctor sexual abuse, the victim’s family has the power to file a civil lawsuit on their behalf.
In some physician sexual abuse cases, victims may be able to seek compensation from a third party if they can prove that the third party had prior knowledge of the abuse and did not act to prevent it. Liable parties could include:
Many predatory doctors use threats, coercion, deception or bribery in an attempt to silence their victims. This causes victims to question themselves. They wonder: Was what I experienced really sexual abuse? Was it illegal? What will happen to me if I speak up?
Even if your doctor is causing you to doubt your experience, it is crucial that you speak up and stay strong. Remember, the law is on your side. Moreover, sexual abusers are often repeat offenders. When you pursue legal action, you pursue justice for yourself and ensure the practitioner will not be able to repeat their deplorable actions with other patients.
When a physician you trust abuses you, you need a lawyer that is experienced in cases of this matter to aggressively stand up for your legal rights.
If you were sexually assaulted by a doctor, our firm is prepared to investigate all avenues for compensation. We will alert the appropriate authorities and work to prove what happened by gathering witness statements from other medical professionals or patients, surveillance footage, medical records, psych evaluations, and more.
Call (212) 684-1880 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our sexual abuse and assault lawyers in New York.
We fight tirelessly to deliver results and we are not afraid to go to trial.
We are leaders and educators in legal issues involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability.
We have the experience to handle your case all while providing individualized attention.
