Why Women Are Filing Medical Sexual Assault Lawsuits
A medical sexual assault lawsuit can help you get a sense of justice by holding predatory medical staff or their employers accountable. You didn’t deserve to have your trust broken or your body violated, and neither do any other women seen by health care professionals.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine reviewed medical sexual misconduct cases from 2016 to 2022 and found that 89% of the victims were female.
Your doctor betrayed your trust during your appointment or hospital stay. A medical sexual assault lawsuit could help you or your family move forward by seeking accountability against the health care team or hospital that may be responsible for your experience.
Our compassionate patient advocates can help you understand your legal rights without any pressure to move forward.
Get your free case review now.
What Is Medical Sexual Assault?
Medical sexual assault is any sexual behavior that exploits the physician-patient relationship. Doctors understand that patients trust them during vulnerable moments, which abusers may take advantage of. Medical sexual abuse is never therapeutic or diagnostic.
A doctor’s sexual abuse may include:
- Confusing medical language that makes you question yourself
- Inappropriate touching during a standard medical examination
- Invasive exams without informed consent
- Physical sexual contact framed as medical care
- Sexual comments or requests
- Unnecessary exams
“[Sexual] behavior may be verbal or physical, can occur in person or virtually, and may include expressions of thoughts and feelings or gestures that are of a sexual nature or that a patient or surrogate may reasonably construe as sexual.”
— The Federation of State Medical Boards
Many survivors don’t immediately realize that what happened was abuse or medical malpractice. If you left feeling confused and unsure about what you experienced, you’re not alone.
Where Does Doctor Sexual Abuse Happen?
Medical sexual abuse often occurs in private exam rooms or medical settings where patients may or may not be alone. Some health care professionals excuse their actions as medically necessary, which can confuse patients and chaperones into allowing the behaviors.
Here’s where medical sexual assault happens:
- Emergency rooms
- Family medicine offices
- Hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- Mental health facilities
- Nursing homes
- OB/GYN clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
- Sports medicine programs
- University medical offices
Predatory doctors may also exploit patients who are receiving care. A traumatic accident, ventilator tube, or medication could have interfered with your ability to give or remove consent.
If you want to hold an abusive doctor accountable, call our compassionate team at (877) 640-6101. We’ll listen to your story and provide guidance.
Examples of Medical Sexual Abuse
You might feel confused after being sexually assaulted by a doctor because you’re not sure what counts as medical sexual abuse. Abusive doctors may have tried to manipulate you into believing they were providing treatment, but were really violating your trust, body, or privacy.
Medical sexual abuse includes:
- Abuse during sedation or other vulnerable moments
- Buttock or breast contact that doesn’t feel medical
- Continued inappropriate touching after you freeze or become tense
- Declined requests to have another person in the room
- Demands for sexual favors in exchange for treatments
- Discussion of masturbation for non-medical reasons
- Examinations without informed consent
- Forced masturbation
- Genital contact without explanation or permission
- Inappropriate breast exams
- Inappropriate physical contact that doesn’t stop when you ask
- Masturbation while performing an exam
- Physical exams when your doctor isn’t wearing gloves
- Sexually charged comments or jokes
- Unnecessary pelvic exams
- Unscheduled anal exams
- Any other form of sexual harassment
Medical sexual assault is not limited to the examples in this list. Perpetrators may find other ways to pressure, manipulate, or otherwise force women into sexual encounters in health care settings.
How Medical Consent Works
Medical consent is the process in which your health care provider explains a procedure or treatment so you can decide whether to proceed. You’re allowed to tell them to stop or revoke your consent at any point.
Attending or paying for a medical appointment does not give a doctor permission to touch you against your will.
Responsible medical professionals will:
- Allow a companion, family member, or nurse to remain in the room if requested
- Always wear gloves during your exams
- Ask for permission before touching different body parts
- Explain what they’re doing and why
- Conduct exams relevant to the reason for your appointment
- Respect your pain levels
- Stop touching you immediately when asked
Trustworthy doctors provide patient-first medical care with empathy. No one should leave their physician’s office feeling violated, unsafe, or betrayed.
Contact us today to speak with our patient advocates and ask any questions you might have about your experience. They’ll listen and provide support whenever possible.
How Medical Institutions May Fail Patients
Sometimes, hospitals and other health care institutions fail to act when women experience medical assault in the facility. Doctor sexual abuse lawsuits can potentially include individual perpetrators or the businesses responsible for their employment, depending on the circumstances.
These claims may involve:
- Failure to investigate complaints
- Failure to report misconduct to law enforcement or state licensing boards
- Inadequate background reviews
- Institutional cover-ups
- Mismanagement of patient reports
- Poor reporting systems
- Weak oversight from licensing boards
Betrayal by medical professionals and their employers is deeply harmful. When abusers escape accountability, victims suffer in silence, and vulnerable patients remain at risk of experiencing continued sexual assault.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
You don’t need to have all the answers to explore your legal rights. You deserved respect and bodily autonomy during your experience with a medical provider.
You may qualify for a medical sexual assault lawsuit if:
- You are the mother of a minor who experienced child abuse during an exam
- You experienced sexual harassment or abuse by a medical worker during an exam
- You were inappropriately touched or assaulted by a health care professional
Our patient advocates help women understand their next steps. They can also connect you with medical malpractice and sexual assault support resources while you heal.
Get a free case review today to pursue the justice you deserve after medical sexual assault.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault by a Doctor?
The statute of limitations for doctor sexual assault changes between states. The required timeline to file your claim could change depending on where you live or need to file your claim.
You may only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. In some states, the deadline could be as short as 1 year.
If the statute passes, it may be too late to seek justice. Don’t wait: Reach out to us at (877) 640-6101 to get help exploring your options before time runs out in your case.
Notable Doctors Named in Medical Sexual Assault Lawsuits
Recent lawsuits involving doctors and health care institutions have revealed widespread allegations of sexual misconduct and systemic failures. They demonstrate how medical professionals continue to exploit women and young girls.
Doctors named in medical sexual assault lawsuits or settlements include:
- Dr. David Farley (family medicine physician in Oregon)
- Dr. Fabio Ortega (gynecologist in Illinois)
- Dr. George Tyndall (gynecologist in California)
- Dr. James Heaps (obstetrician-gynecologist and oncologist in California)
- Dr. Larry Nassar (family medicine osteopathic physician in Michigan)
- Dr. Oumair Aejaz (internal medicine physician in Michigan)
- Dr. Reginald Archibald (endocrinologist in New York)
- Dr. Ricardo Cruciani (neurologist in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York)
- Dr. Robert Anderson (internal medicine physician in Michigan)
- Dr. Robert Hadden (gynecologist in New York)
Doctors often see hundreds, if not thousands, of patients every year, and many cases of abuse go unreported. If you or your child were sexually assaulted by your doctor, contact us today. We’re here to connect you with support resources and answer your questions.
Dr. David Farley
In October 2020, four women filed a lawsuit against Dr. David Farley, claiming that he sexually abused them during pelvic and breast exams. Around 180 girls and women joined the lawsuit over time.
As of May 2026, their lawsuit seeks $970 million in damages for the alleged sexual abuse over three decades. Dr. Farley, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital, and West Linn Family Health Center have agreed to undisclosed settlements.
Dr. Fabio Ortega
Dr. Fabio Ortega was arrested in 2017 for the alleged sexual assault of a female patient during an exam. In 2024, a lawsuit was filed claiming that he sexually assaulted more than 300 women during unnecessary pelvic exams that were conducted without gloves.
Endeavor Health, the hospital system that employed Dr. Ortega, released a financial statement in November 2024 that recorded up to $453 million in legal settlements for those who were allegedly abused by one of its doctors.
While Dr. Ortega was not explicitly named in the settlement, the payout came in the wake of 61 pending lawsuits brought against Endeavor for his alleged abuse.
Dr. George Tyndall
Dr. George Tyndall, who was a gynecologist at the University of Southern California, was arrested on 35 counts of alleged sexual misconduct in 2019. The case never went to trial because he passed away while released on bail.
The university ultimately agreed to pay $1.1 billion to about 17,000 women who were allegedly sexually assaulted by Dr. Tyndall during their annual exams. As of May 2026, it remains the largest sex abuse settlement from a university.
If a medical expert violated your trust during an appointment, you may be eligible for a medical sexual abuse lawsuit, too. Call our team at (877) 640-6101 to explore your options.
Dr. James Heaps
Dr. James Heaps worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist and oncologist at the University of California Los Angeles for over three decades. Since then, hundreds of women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse during exams.
The university agreed to pay more than $100 million to 203 women in 2022. It also paid $73 million in 2021 to over 5,500 women who had also accused Dr. Heaps of sexual abuse and assault.
Dr. Larry Nassar
In 2016, the Indianapolis Star published the first report of alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Larry Nassar. Afterward, 332 women accused him of sexually assaulting them while they were minors under the guise of sports medicine treatment.
Michigan State University, his former employer, reached a $500 million settlement with hundreds of women in 2018. The U.S. Department of Justice also paid $138 million to Dr. Nassar’s victims for failing to act on previously filed federal reports of his sexual misconduct.
Dr. Oumair Aejaz
Henry Ford Hospital, the former employer of Dr. Oumair Aejaz, agreed to a $140 million settlement with several former patients. He was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison for molesting his female patients during exams and videotaping them without their consent.
A separate class action lawsuit against the Henry Ford Hospital system included 8,200 survivors in December 2025. It may result in an additional settlement.
Dr. Reginald Archibald
Eleven years after Dr. Reginald Archibald died in 2007, the Rockefeller Institute in New York City sent letters to over 1,000 former pediatric patients asking for information about his sexually inappropriate conduct towards children during appointments without their parents.
The institution later established a fund to pay for counseling services for former patients.
Dr. Archibald also abused patients while volunteering at the New York City Madison Square Boys & Girls Club between the 1940s and 1980s. The organization agreed to pay $22 million to settle 140 claims before filing for bankruptcy.
Our partner lawyers may be able to help you seek a similar settlement that covers your mental health treatments. Contact us to tell your story and see if you’re eligible.
Dr. Ricardo Cruciani
Dr. Ricardo Cruciani was arrested in 2018 on several charges of sexual abuse related to his work as a pain management physician. Six women testified that he withheld their prescriptions until after he allegedly sexually assaulted them.
Though Dr. Cruciani was found dead in his prison cell in 2022, a civil case is ongoing. As of May 2026, 19 of Dr. Cruciani’s former patients are suing Mount Sinai Beth Israel for allegedly ignoring his sexual abuse, and no settlements have been reached yet.
Dr. Robert Anderson
The University of Michigan employed Dr. Robert Anderson as the football team’s doctor and a physician with student health services for nearly 40 years. Over 1,000 former students and athletes have come forward to say they experienced sexual assault during his medical examinations.
Though most of the victims who have spoken out are men, one also played for the women’s tennis team. The university agreed to a $490 million settlement, which includes $30 million for victims who file claims in the coming years.
Dr. Robert Hadden
Dr. Robert Hadden was a gynecologist who was arrested for sexually assaulting female patients under the guise of supposed vaginal and breast exams. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2023.
A group of 576 survivors filed a medical sexual assault lawsuit against Dr. Hadden’s former employers, Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian. Both institutions reached a $750 million settlement in May 2025.
How a Medical Sexual Assault Settlement Could Help
Medical sexual assault settlements hold health care teams and institutions accountable for the suffering they cause. You shouldn’t have to carry extra financial stress to recover from the physical and emotional damage of sexual assault.
Settlements from medical abuse lawsuits can cover:
- Medical treatments for physical injuries
- Therapy for emotional distress
- Treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Time away from school
- Time off from work
“Our experienced sexual abuse attorneys are prepared to stand up to the individual or institution that caused you harm and work toward recovering the payment that you deserve.”
— Sokolove Law
We have empathetic female case managers who are ready to listen to your story and connect you with support resources. They will also explain if you can work with a doctor sexual abuse attorney to hold your medical providers accountable for your suffering.
How Medical Sexual Abuse Lawyers Support Survivors
Talking about your assault can be uncomfortable, but doctor sexual assault lawyers understand what you’re going through. They’ll work to make the legal process as easy as possible for you and your family, so you can get the justice you deserve with as little hassle as possible.
A medical sexual assault lawyer can:
- Communicate with law enforcement
- Defend you in court
- Explain your legal options within your state’s statute of limitations
- Gather and review your medical records
- Identify institutional failures
- Investigate prior patient complaints
- Negotiate a settlement, if possible
According to a Public Citizen report, 69.7% of physicians with one sexual misconduct report between 2003 and 2017 faced no repercussions from state medical boards. Medical sexual assault attorneys can potentially still hold them or their employers accountable.
Get your free case review to find answers and support.
Pursue Justice After Experiencing Medical Sexual Assault
Many women are left with physical and mental pain after experiencing sexual assault in their doctor’s office. You don’t have to recover alone.
Doctor sexual abuse lawyers fight for survivors in court and negotiate settlements that help women and children heal. Our partner law firm has secured $10.5 Billion for victims of injustice.
Get a free case review or call us at (877) 640-6101 when you’re ready to speak with our case managers and decide what you want to do next.
Medical Sexual Assault FAQs
What is considered sexual misconduct by a doctor?
Sexual misconduct by a doctor exploits the physician-patient relationship, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards. Physicians do not use sexual contact to diagnose or treat conditions.
You don’t have to remember everything about your experience to speak with our team about filing a medical sexual assault lawsuit.
Contact us now to see if you’re eligible. Our female case managers are ready to listen to your story and provide guidance.
How common is sexual assault in hospitals?
The Joint Commission recorded 106 cases of rape, sexual assault, homicide, and assault in hospitals between 2021 and 2023. Sexual assaults and rapes were 43% of that total, and 28% of those reports were staff-on-patient violence.
Understanding hospital sexual abuse is challenging because only 11 states require that medical boards report doctors to law enforcement after patients make sexual assault claims. Greater transparency can help people gauge how often it happens.
Can hospitals be sued for sexual assault?
Yes, some doctor sexual abuse lawsuits involve the offices or institutions that employed them. That is determined by the specifics of each case, like situations where hospitals knowingly kept a physician employed after patients made sexual assault claims.
Institutions may fail to protect their patients to continue profiting from the doctor’s medical services or protect the hospital’s reputation. If you think that happened in your case, call us at (877) 640-6101 to discuss your legal rights.
What is the statute of limitations for sexual assault by a doctor?
The statute of limitations for sexual assault by a doctor changes in each state, with some only allowing as little as 1 year. Consulting the Her Case Matters team about your experience is the best way to get clarity.
You may not have much time to seek justice. We’re here to listen and explain your next steps if you’re eligible to work with a medical sexual abuse lawyer.
How much is a sexual assault lawsuit worth?
A sexual assault lawsuit settlement is negotiated by lawyers outside of court, based on the former patient’s experience. Our partner medical sexual abuse attorneys can listen to your story and fight for the highest settlement possible on your behalf.
Get a free case review now if you’d like to learn about your options. Our female patient advocates will listen, connect you with support resources, and clarify your next steps if you’d like to take legal action.
Written by: Her Case Matters
At HerCaseMatters, we believe women deserve to be heard — especially when it comes to their health and safety. Too often, harmful drugs, devices, and corporate wrongdoing impact women’s lives without proper warning, support, or accountability. We’re here to change that. We work with trusted legal partners who are deeply experienced in holding powerful companies accountable. But more than that, we’re here to remind women everywhere that their pain is real, their experiences matter, and they deserve justice.
- AP News. (May 2023). Lawsuit: New York City hospital covered up abuse by star doctor convicted of rape. Retrieved from: https://apnews.com/article/neurologist-ricardo-cruciani-sex-abuse-lawsuit-198c7c73a3461512cf1a62dc919c23c6.
- Baxley, E., Dunahue, S., Koempel, A., Anderson, A., Hansen, B., LeRoy, G., & Magill, M. (2024). Sexual misconduct by board certified family physicians. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: JABFM, 37(4), 698–705. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2023.230413R1.
- BBC. (May 2018). Larry Nassar: Michigan State University to pay $500m to abuse victims. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44146812.
- Chicago Tribune. (November 2024). Endeavor Health is spending up to $453 million to settle patients’ claims that a former doctor sexually abused them. Retrieved from: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/18/endeavor-health-settlement-ortega/.
- Columbia Spectator. (May 2025). ‘Historic recovery’: Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian to pay $750 million to former patients in largest Hadden settlement to date. Retrieved from: https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/05/23/historic-recovery-columbia-and-newyork-presbyterian-to-pay-750-million-to-former-patients-in-largest-hadden-settlement-to-date/.
- ESPN. (July 2020). First female athlete publicly accuses former U-M doctor of sexual assault. Retrieved from: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29454682/first-female-athlete-publicly-accuses-former-u-m-doctor-sexual-assault.
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- NBC News. (April 2024). Larry Nassar’s victims reach $138.7 million settlement over botched FBI probe. Retrieved from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/larry-nassars-victims-reach-1387-million-settlement-botched-fbi-probe-rcna148990.
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- NPR. (February 2022). UCLA settles gynecologist sexual abuse lawsuit for more than $100 million. Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/08/1079145840/ucla-gynecologist-sexual-abuse-settlement.
- NPR. (October 2018). New York hospital says it knew of sexual misconduct by pediatric doctor. Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2018/10/19/658717456/new-york-hospital-says-it-knew-of-sexual-misconduct-by-pediatric-doctor.
- Oregon Public Broadcasting. (January 2026). Former West Linn doctor, clinic, hospital settle with patients ahead of trial in sexual abuse suit. Retrieved from: https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/28/west-linn-doctor-sexual-abuse-settlement/.
- Patch. (October 2018). NorthShore gynecologist indicted on sexual assault charge. Retrieved from: https://patch.com/illinois/skokie/northshore-gynecologist-indicted-sexual-assault-charge.
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- Reuters. (July 2023). New York City youth club to exit bankruptcy with $22 million sex abuse settlement. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/nyc-youth-club-exit-bankruptcy-with-22-mln-sex-abuse-settlement-2023-07-28/.
- Sokolove Law. (June 2026). Doctor sexual abuse lawyer. Retrieved from: https://www.sokolovelaw.com/personal-injury/sexual-abuse/doctor-sexual-assault/.
- Spectrum News 1. (July 2021). Judge gives final approval to $73M settlement of ex-UCLA gynecologist lawsuit. Retrieved from: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la/news/2021/07/12/judge-gives-final-approval-to–73m-settlement-of-ex-ucla-gynecologist-lawsuit.
- The Regents of the University of Michigan. (n.d.). An announcement on the Robert Anderson case. Retrieved from: https://regents.umich.edu/governance/announcements/an-announcement-on-the-robert-anderson-case/.
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. (July 2023). Former obstetrician/gynecologist Robert Hadden sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing numerous patients. Retrieved from: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-obstetriciangynecologist-robert-hadden-sentenced-20-years-prison-sexually.
- UCLA Newsroom. (June 2019). Important information about former physician and UCLA’s response. Retrieved from: https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/important-information-about-former-physician-and-uclas-response.
- USA Today. (March 2024). Chicago-area doctor sexually abused more than 300 patients and hospitals ignored it, lawsuit claims. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/29/gynocologist-dr-fabian-ortega-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-chicagoland-hospital/73132270007/.
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- USA Today. (October 2023). Ex-USC gynecologist George Tyndall found dead awaiting trial for sexual abuse allegations. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/10/05/george-tyndall-usc-gynecologist-dead/71076586007/.
