Ongoing criminal and civil cases against Dr. Paduch, the New York-area urologist accused of sexual abuse raise questions about the conduct of physicians we are supposed to trust. Patients who believe their healthcare providers have their best interests in mind may not realize when conduct becomes inappropriate or even exploitative.
Doctor sexual abuse lawyers at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo & Plotkin LLP represent clients victimized by unethical providers in civil claims, and want you to know the signs of physician sexual misconduct.
Sexual abuse is nonconsensual behavior of a sexual nature. It is a broad term that refers to several forms of misconduct: harassment, exploitation, and penetration.
Specific examples of sexual misconduct include:
Sexual misconduct often involves a dynamic where the abuser is in a position of power over their victim, as in the doctor-patient relationship. The abuser asserts their authority to commit sexual abuse via coercion, manipulation, or force.
Healthcare providers of any gender identity can commit sexual abuse, and it can happen between individuals of the same or different sexes.
Call 212-684-1880 or complete our contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our sexual abuse and assault lawyers.
The claims against Dr. Paduch reflect this common power dynamic between abusers and victims. As a physician for over two decades, Paduch is accused of harming thousands of patients, men, women, and children who sought his care.
Among the many abuse allegations against him, Dr. Paduch is accused of:
According to one Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit, Paduch, “acted as a disgusting, sadistic, and perverted sexual predator who used his esteemed and trusted position” to abuse.
The facts about Dr. Paduch’s allegations become even more disturbing when we learn the Ethics Board at the hospital were he worked was notified of the abuse and apparently covered it up. Had the hospital taken steps to discipline and report him to the police, hundreds of patients might have been spared the trauma of sexual abuse by Dr. Paduch.
If you suspect your doctor has been inappropriate and you may be a victim of sexual abuse, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and report the abuse. First, we recommend reporting the behavior to your doctor’s employer and the New York Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC.)
If the behavior is criminal, notify the police. They will investigate your claims and determine if charges are appropriate. Beyond criminal charges, you may also have grounds to file a civil lawsuit against your abuser.
A civil claim against the physician, and the hospital or facility that employs them, is separate from criminal charges. Unlike a criminal conviction that may result in jail time for the offender, the goal of a civil suit is to compensate the victim for the harm they experienced. Damages are calculated to reflect the impacts of sexual abuse from a trusted provider has negatively impacted their life.
While abuse survivors may hesitate to speak out about violations that happened years ago, recent legislation may give them more time to act.
The Child Victims Act of 2019 (CVA) allows all victims of childhood sexual assault, including those who had previously missed the age limit of 23, to file a civil lawsuit (which is different from a criminal lawsuit) up until their 55th birthday— though legal experts recommend filing sooner if possible.
Additionally, this legislation would allow the criminal prosecution of many sexual offenses committed against children to be filed up until the age of 23 instead of 18.
The Adult Survivors Act (ASA) expands the statute of limitations for certain sex crimes to 20 years for new cases occurring after 2019. Your New York sexual abuse attorney will review your case, and help you take timely legal action to avoid missing the opportunity to hold abusers responsible.
Sexual abuse lawyers at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman are actively accepting cases against Dr. Paduch and any other doctors who have sexually abused patients in New York. From our work with school and church sex abuse survivors, we know how devastating sexual trauma can be. Our goal is to provide peace of mind knowing justice is possible, and help is available.
To schedule a free consultation with our team, call 212-684-1880 or submit an online inquiry. We represent clients across New York City and throughout the state.
We fight tirelessly to deliver results and we are not afraid to go to trial.
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