DR. DARIUS PADUCH SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Dr. Paduch Sex Abuse Claims Against Weill Cornell and Northwell Health

Levy Konigsberg is reviewing claims from former patients who were sexually abused by New York urologist Dr. Darius A. Paduch.

Paduch, who was employed at the New York – Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City and later Northwell Health on Long Island, has been indicted on federal charges for sexually abusing multiple male patients, including minors.

In light of Paduch’s arrest, NY Presbyterian and Northwell Health are now facing a growing number of lawsuits from survivors who say the hospital and medical center failed to protect them.

Dr. Paduch’s History of Sexual Abuse

Dr. Darius Paduch worked as a urologist and male infertility/sexual dysfunction specialist at two prominent New York medical institutions:

• New York – Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center in NYC (2003-2019)
• Northwell Health on Long Island (2019-2023)

According to growing evidence, Paduch at some point began to sexually abuse and exploit his patients in closed examination rooms under the guise that he was completing routine or necessary medical care related to male sexual function and dysfunction.

Paduch would allegedly instruct his patients to masturbate in his presence, play pornography while watching his victims masturbate, and masturbate victims himself using his hands or sex toys for no legitimate medical purpose. He is also accused of conducting unnecessary rectal examinations, instructing patients to film themselves masturbating, and directing patients to schedule follow-up visits via texts from his personal phone, which created a pattern that allowed him to repeatedly abuse victims over the course of multiple years.

The allegations against Paduch were brought to light by various investigations and claims, including a federal grand jury indictment and several civil lawsuits.

• In April 2023, Paduch was indicted in the Southern District of New York for sexually abusing multiple male patients, including minor male patients, during his time at both NY Presbyterian and Northwell Health. The charges against Paduch relate to the abuse and assault of multiple patients who were first abused as minors and later as adults dating back to at least 2015. However, authorities suspect there may be more victims considering Paduch’s abusive patterns and his employment as a urologist since 2003.
• In December 2022 and into early 2023, the first civil lawsuits were filed against NY Presbyterian and Northwell Health on by several survivors who allege that they were sexually abused by Paduch and that the medical institutions failed to protect them, despite being warned about Paduch’s behavior. One of the lawsuits was filed by a minor who served as an intern for Paduch.

Read More About Dr. Paduch’s indictment here.

Dr. Paduch Sex Abuse Claims Seek Accountability from NY Presbyterian and Northwell Health

While the pending federal charges against Paduch means that he may be held criminally accountable, it will not determine liability for the damages suffered by victims. Instead, survivors will need to file claims in civil court to seek a financial recovery and hold the medical institutions that employed Paduch accountable for their failures to protect patients.

Fortunately, New York law allows victims of sexual abuse to file claims against not only abusers, but also the institutions that enabled abuse.

As a growing number of Paduch’s former patients allege, NY Presbyterian and Northwell Health failed to protect victims from Paduch’s abuse, despite years of complaints and concerns voiced by patients and other employees. Insight from additional survivors who choose to step forward will likely aid ongoing investigations into what these institutions knew about Paduch’s abuse and how they failed to respond to warning signs.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a doctor or medical staff.
• The abuse occurred at any medical facility.
• You were sexually exploited or abused by someone in a position of power within an organization meant to provide support and care.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold medical facilities and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect patients.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

New York Sexual Abuse Attorneys

A statute of limitations sets deadlines for victims to bring claims against their abuser or entities responsible for the abuse. New York has pioneered efforts to make it easier for sexual abuse survivors to seek justice and compensation.

In 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, expanding the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 

Levy Konigsberg is a prominent law firm known for its expertise in representing victims of sexual abuse by doctors or healthcare workers. With a dedicated team of experienced attorneys, they have successfully handled numerous cases, ensuring that survivors receive the justice and compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse by a doctor or healthcare worker, Levy Konigsberg offers compassionate and professional legal support to help navigate this challenging time. Their commitment to holding perpetrators accountable makes them a trusted ally in the fight against medical misconduct.