California Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Hire a California Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorney

Sexual assault is one of the worst ethical violations a doctor can commit. It is an extreme invasion of a patient’s privacy and an abuse of trust. If you or a loved one were sexually abused by a doctor, we can help you obtain the full justice you are entitled to under the law.

Doctors and medical professionals are among the most highly trusted people in our communities. We rely on their judgment and services to help us heal and recover. Unfortunately, many doctors abuse this same position of trust to commit atrocious acts of sexual abuse and assault. 

Doctor sexual abuse can be an extremely devastating and confusing experience, and the liable parties need to be held accountable for their actions and conduct. Pursuing legal action can provide financial assistance for survivors of such abuse, and can help expose patterns of violations.

At The Pride Law Firm, we understand the challenges and needs of sexual assault survivors. In particular, sexual assault by a doctor presents unique issues. If you or a loved one were assaulted by a doctor, contact us at (619) 516-8166. We can set up a no-cost consultation to review your case in a fully confidential setting. 

We understand that talking about sensitive matters can be difficult, but you can rest assured that anything you share with our team will remain protected and private.
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What is Considered Sexual Abuse by a Doctor?

Doctor sexual assault can happen in many ways and can take on various forms, including: 

• Inappropriate contact or touching during a medical examination
• Forcing a patient to undress or expose body parts not needed for the procedure
• Making unwelcome sexual comments or advances
• Inquiring about the patient’s sexual history when not relevant to any medical purpose
• Taking photos of a patient without their consent or for personal viewing
• Withholding or failing to provide a medical gown
• Requesting sexual favors in exchange for medical treatment, medication, or money
• Overmedicating or sedating a patient in order to commit sexual misconduct
• Improper hygiene, such as not wearing gloves during an exam 
• Committing any form of rape 
• Engaging in a sexual act with a patient who is unable to give valid consent (such as a minor, a person with an intellectual disability, or a sedated patient) 

In many instances, initiating or pursuing a romantic relationship with a client can constitute doctor sexual assault. If a doctor or medical professional wants to pursue a consensual romantic relationship with a patient, they must terminate the doctor-patient relationship beforehand. 

If you are at all unsure about the appropriateness of your doctor’s actions, you should alert authorities and contact a sexual assault lawyer for advice on your situation. 

What Kind of Damages Can a California Doctor Sexual Assault Lawyer Help Me Recover?

Filing a claim against a doctor for sexual harassment can help the survivor recover various losses and expenses resulting from the incident. This can be a major financial burden for the survivor, but a damages award can help cover:

• Medical Bills: This can include out-of-pocket expenses for therapy, counseling, any medications, costs associated with hospitalization, and any future treatment costs.
• Lost Wages: Survivors may experience lost salaries, wages, benefits, and revenue while recovering from the incident. Damages from a lawsuit can also help with these.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation can help with physical and emotional injuries, including pain, emotional distress, trauma, and other conditions. 
• Punitive Damages: Some cases may provide additional compensation which is used to punish abusive doctors or negligent medical organizations. 

While no amount of financial compensation can ever undo the damage and hurt caused by doctor sexual assault, the assistance can help survivors heal and their loved ones move on toward a better quality of life. 

The amount of damages available varies according to several factors. These factors include the extent of the person’s losses as well as the skill and experience of the attorney handling the case. Thus, it is important to select the right attorney to handle your claim. 

Where Does Doctor Sexual Abuse Occur the Most Frequently?

Doctor sexual assault can happen in any type of medical setting, including hospital institutions, outpatient clinics, and private practices. The conditions where medical sexual abuse may occur are similar to those in other institutions, such as nursing homes, mental health facilities, and rehab centers. 

For instance, sexual misconduct happens most frequently when patients are alone with their doctor. Abuse also occurs frequently when there is a heightened sense of authority and trust between the doctor and patient. 

The types of doctors most commonly accused of sexual assault or abuse include: 

• Obstetricians and Gynecologists: This type of abuse often occurs when perpetrators go beyond standard examination procedures or personal sexual gratification.
• Psychiatrists: A large percentage of medical sexual abuse cases involve psychiatrists and psychiatric facilities. This is because psychiatric sessions often involve a patient and doctor alone in a private setting. Also, patients with mental health issues may be especially vulnerable to sexual misconduct, especially those involving an abuse of authority.
• Doctors Prescribing Medication: Physicians who prescribe addictive substances like opioids can often abuse their position, for instance, by exchanging medications in return for sexual demands. 

Perpetrators of sexual harassment in a medical setting are typically males; however, female doctors can also abuse male patients, and abuse can happen across all types of gender interactions. 

Jessica Pride has extensive experience in litigating medical sexual assault cases, including claims involving a surgeon, a psychiatrist, and a man posing as a cosmetic surgeon. At The Pride Law Firm, we are passionate about seeking justice for our clients and protecting the health and safety of our communities. 

If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse or assault at the hands of a doctor, you may reach out to us at (619) 516-8166 for confidential advice regarding your legal options. 

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What Are Your Rights in a Medical Environment?

When you visit a hospital or see a doctor for any type of examination, treatment, or procedure, you should expect a high degree of professionalism and safety. It is your right to be able to: 

• End the examination when you request it: You are allowed to let the examiner know if anything makes you feel uncomfortable, and you can ask them to stop.
• Request to have another person in the room: You may ask to have another person present during a procedure, such as a nurse, friend, or relative.
• Demand your privacy: Patients should be provided with a private place to change clothes before and after a medical exam. The exam should also take place in a private area or behind a curtain. 
• Ask for a medical professional of a specific gender: You can ask to be seen by someone of a specific gender of your choice if you desire (though this can sometimes require selecting a new doctor, which might not always be possible in emergency situations). 
• Undress to your level of comfort: You should only need to undress the body parts that are under examination and keep the rest of your body dressed or covered. 
• Get answers to your questions: Your doctor or medical provider needs to be able to provide answers to any questions you may have, especially regarding the reason certain steps are being taken. 
• Seek information in your own language: Doctors and examiners should make efforts to provide information in the language you understand. You may request an interpreter or have a friend or family member who can interpret for you. Language manipulation is often a factor in cases involving immigrant sexual assault.

If you feel that any of these rights may have been violated, you may have a claim for doctor sexual assault. It is important that you inform your healthcare provider and authorities, and contact a lawyer to help determine what your next steps should be. 

How Can a California Medical Sexual Assault Lawyer Help Me? 

Doctor sexual assault claims can be complex and will contain highly sensitive issues and information. A lawyer handling such a claim needs to have extensive training and experience in providing support and guidance for a patient who may be undergoing intense emotional and psychological distress. 

A qualified and experienced sexual assault attorney can provide the following tasks and services for a survivor of assault: 

• Reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident
• Providing legal information and legal advice regarding the case
• Offering emotional support and guidance for the survivor
• Researching the relevant laws that apply to the case
• Gathering all pertinent evidence and documentation for the claim
• Formulating a strong trial strategy and legal approach
• Negotiating for the maximum amount of financial compensation for the survivor
• Holding the proper parties accountable for preventing future instances of abuse

This last point is essential. Many survivors of doctor or medical sexual assault are hesitant to report abuse because of fear, embarrassment, and confusion. Pursuing legal action through a lawsuit can help uncover other instances of abuse and require medical institutions to improve their health and safety standards. 

For example, a lawsuit may require a hospital to perform more thorough background and licensing checks of doctors and may require them to make stronger efforts to remove offending doctors. Lawsuits are often a source of inspiration for new bills and legislation to reform sexual assault laws.

Contact a California Doctor Sexual Assault Attorney

Doctor sexual assault is one of the most alarming and concerning types of violations. Doctors and medical professionals are among the most highly trusted people to work with; abuses of such trust and services can often lead to cyclical abuse patterns involving multiple patients, not just one. 

In order to protect survivors and prevent additional abuses, legal action may be needed to uncover and expose such wrongdoings. At The Pride Law Firm, our team is dedicated to helping survivors of doctor and medical sexual abuse recover and regain their power. We provide our strongest efforts and attention towards making our clients whole again.

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Why Hire Us

At The Pride Law Firm, we have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of sexual assault litigation. We have helped hundreds of survivors regain their sense of peace and confidence. Our experience allows us to provide the highest quality legal services in a confidential, compassionate, and understanding atmosphere. 

If you or a loved one have been affected in any way by doctor sexual assault, contact us at (619) 516-8166 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation where we can privately discuss your legal options. Reaching out to us may be the most important step on your path toward justice. 

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