Hospital Sex Abuse Lawyer

When a patient is admitted to the hospital, they should expect that their doctors and other healthcare workers will provide them with a certain level of care and respect. Unfortunately, vulnerable hospital or medical facility patients who are immobilized, under the effects of medication, or simply receiving a routine procedure can be sexually assaulted. When a hospital or medical facility fails to do its part to help prevent hospital sexual abuse, the facility can potentially be held liable for the harm the patient suffered.

The sex abuse lawyers of Edwards Henderson are dedicated to protecting the rights of survivors and obtaining the justice they deserve. If you or a loved one were sexually abused by a medical professional, contact the hospital sex abuse lawyers of Edwards Henderson today for a free confidential case evaluation.

What is Hospital Sex Abuse?

Sex abuse most often refers to a range of physical and verbal sexual acts that the victim did not or could not consent to. Medical professional sexual abuse may include rape or attempted rape, non-consensual touching, molestation, indecent exposure, coercing a victim into having sex, and more.

Some actions taken by healthcare professionals seen in hospital sex abuse lawsuits include:

• Examining the sexual organs without wearing gloves
• Making inappropriate sexual contact under the pretense of a routine medical examination
• Asking the patient to reveal parts of the body not associated with the current medical exam
• Taking advantage of an unconscious patient or a patient under drugs like anesthesia
• Taking advantage of children, people with disabilities, or the elderly

How Common is Hospital Sex Abuse?

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every 68 seconds, with 1 in 6 women being the victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. While hospital sexual assault may be relatively less common, it does happen. According to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3,100 physicians were publicly disciplined for sexual infractions between the years 1999 and 2016, with 2,400 sanctioned for sexual violations that involved patients.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s investigation was prompted by its findings that two-thirds of the doctors in the state of Georgia who have been disciplined for sexual misconduct had been permitted to practice again.

Who May Be Held Liable for Hospital Sex Abuse?

Hospitals, medical facilities, and healthcare workers have a duty of care to protect and provide adequate care to their patients. If a patient is sexually abused and the hospital’s failure to provide this duty of care contributed to the assault, the hospital could be held liable. Some common examples of hospital negligence include:

• Failure to adequately screen employees prior to hiring
• Failure to properly train on workplace ethics and how to recognize signs of abuse
• Failure to provide workers and patients with a clear and concise sexual misconduct reporting system
• Allowing doctors or other healthcare workers with a history of sexual abuse to continue practicing

If the sexual abuse was committed by a doctor who is an independent contractor of the hospital or other medical facility where the assault took place, liability may be placed directly on the doctor. If you have questions regarding sex abuse in a hospital or medical setting, call the hospital sex assault lawyers of Edwards Henderson for a free confidential consultation.

What Compensation May Be Available for Hospital Sex Assault Survivors?

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the estimated lifetime economic burden of rape victims is $122,461. Because of the complex and severe nature of hospital sexual assault claims, many victims recover significant compensation depending on the specifics of their case. Damages in civil claims, like a hospital sex abuse lawsuit, fall into one of two categories, economic or non-economic damages.

Economic damages refer to financial losses the victim incurred as a result of the abuse, including medical bills, ongoing mental health services, prescriptions, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages refer to subjective losses that cannot be determined by financial charges or expenses, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Hospital Sex Abuse Lawsuits in the News

While many physician sex abuse lawsuits only involve one victim, some involve multitudes of victims and may have spanned years. In 2021, two New York City hospitals were ordered to pay over $70 million to 79 victims who say they were assaulted by a former gynecologist. In the same year, a judge in Arizona approved a $19.5 million settlement to the family of a woman who had been in a vegetative state since childbirth and was raped and gave birth at a long-term care center she had lived at for 26 years.

Who Commits Hospital Sex Abuse?

The most common perpetrators in hospital sexual assault cases are hospital employees. This may include doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, transporters, or support staff. These hospital positions tend to work closely with and interact in close proximity with patients, giving the attacker the opportunity to commit acts like sexual assault.

People in positions of authority with an imbalance of power are commonly associated with sexual abuse. Dangerous hospital workers may choose to take advantage of vulnerable patients, including children, the elderly, or people with disabilities who rely on staff to provide them with necessary care.

How Do I Report Hospital Sex Abuse?

If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted by a hospital worker or doctor, it is important to report the crime immediately. Coming forward about sexual assault can be difficult, but it is vital to protect yourself and others in your community.

You should contact the hospital or medical center where the assault took place and alert them you need to file an official complaint regarding what happened. Next, report the assault to your state’s medical board. After, it may be in your best interest to consult with an experienced sex abuse lawyer who can advise you on filing a potential hospital sex assault lawsuit.

If you were assaulted and believe that you or another individual is in physical danger, call 911 or your local police department’s non-emergency phone number for assistance.

How Can a Hospital Sex Abuse Lawyer Help Me?

When dealing with the trauma of a sexual assault, the complexity of the legal process can seem especially overwhelming. A qualified hospital sex abuse lawyer can:

• Guide you through the legal process and answer any questions you may have
• Investigate the circumstances of the sexual abuse and gather evidence from experts in order to build a strong claim
• Advocate on your behalf throughout the legal process
• Fight for the maximum financial compensation on your behalf, through negotiations or in trial

Contact a Hospital Sex Abuse Lawyer

A hospital sex abuse lawsuit can help victims achieve justice by holding the abuser accountable. The hospital sex abuse lawyers of Edwards Henderson are nationally recognized for their work on sex abuse cases against powerful people and entities and are dedicated to achieving justice on the survivor’s behalf. Our sex assault lawyers have a proven track record of success in achieving compensation for sex abuse victims, with jury settlements as high as $71 million.

If you or a loved one were sexually abused by a medical professional, contact the hospital sex abuse lawyers of Edwards Henderson today for a free legal consultation.