More than 700 women had accused ex-gynaecologist George Tyndall of sexually abusing and assault while being treated by him. The victims also accused the University of Southern California of covering up for Tyndall.
Though he denied any wrongdoing, the ex-gynaecologist’s medical license was revoked and was charged with sexual assault under the guise of gynaecological examinations.
Last month the University reached a settlement of $852 million with the complainants. The case is marked as the biggest sexual abuse settlement and biggest personal injury settlement with any college or university in US history.
Similarly, another case was filed against a gynecologic oncologist who worked at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
A cancer patient accused James Heaps, MD, of repeated sexual assault during their course of treatment which lasted 2 years. Before the lawsuit, there were previous claims of sexual assault against the oncologist by 22 women.
The above two are just high-profile cases that made the news and got the attention of the press and people. There are many other cases that are happening but do not make the headlines. According to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) out of 1638 disciplinary actions, 251 were specifically taken against doctors for sexual misconduct violations.
Though complaints and accusations about Sexual Misconduct by Physicians doctors against patients are relatively less, the enforcement of laws against behavior is a priority of the Medical Board of California. Willful misconduct with their patients is the most egregious that a doctor can commit.
What is sexual assault?
According to the state of California sexual assault includes rape, sexual abuse threats, sodomy, seduction and more. In simple terms, sexual assault is defined as any act of unwanted sexual contact with an individual without their consent, under threat or coercion.
Pursuing damages in a sexual assault case
With regards to sexual assault cases, they can be tried both as a criminal case and a civil case. Under the criminal justice system, the prosecutor decides if the defendant should be charged with a sex crime or not.
If the defendant is found guilty, they may be imprisoned and fined. Under the civil justice system, the victim of sexual assault can claim monetary damages against the defendant.
Though a guilty plea or verdict in the criminal court can strengthen the claim, it is not required for filing a civil lawsuit.
Even if the defendant is found not guilty in criminal court, they can still be held liable for the injuries caused and ordered to compensate the victim. The compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of wages or loss of future earning potential
- Non-economic damages like pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship with partner
Choosing the right law firm
The lawyers at Khashan Law have handled several sexual assault cases. We have successfully represented our clients and won a wide range of verdicts and settlements for them.
We fight for compensation for physical injuries, emotional trauma, and psychological effects. We believe in finding every way possible to get justice and compensation for our clients. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation at (951) 461-2387.