DR. RICHARD KAUFF SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors of Dr. Kauff Child Sexual Abuse

Levy Konigsberg is reviewing claims from former patients who were sexually abused as children by Norwell, MA pediatrician Dr. Richard Kauff.

Kauff, a former pediatrician at South Shore Medical Center, has been accused of sexually abusing dozens of children during his time in practice and is facing a growing number of criminal charges. In light of the mounting allegations against Kauff, survivors are also stepping forward to explore their options for pursuing civil lawsuits and the compensation they deserve.

Levy Konigsberg is known nationally for litigating sexual abuse claims against powerful institutions and has extensive experience fighting for survivors who were abused by pediatricians and physicians. If you have questions about a sexual abuse lawsuit involving Dr. Richard Kauff, we want to help.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

On June 28, 2024, Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office announced that Kauff has been indicted on nine charges of child rape with force and eight charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. These indictments stem from allegations involving 15 different victims over a period of 23 years.

Kauff, released on $50,000 cash bail, faces strict conditions pending his arraignment in superior court, which is yet to be scheduled. These conditions include no contact with the victims, a prohibition from South Shore Medical Center’s Norwell and Kingston facilities, and restrictions on unsupervised contact with children under 16 or leaving Massachusetts. Additionally, he has been required to surrender his passport and medical license.

Dr. Kauff’s History of Sexual Abuse

Dr. Richard Kauff was a former pediatrician who treated children in the town of Norwell and greater Boston area for over 40 years from the South Shore Medical Center.

According to authorities, allegations of Dr. Kauff’s history of abuse surfaced after a question was posted on the “South Shore Mamas” private Facebook page in early October 2023.

The post, which asked if it was “normal” for doctors to “insert their fingers in her vagina during a yearly checkup,” was met with an overwhelming response from group members who vehemently stated that what happened to her was not the norm. But that was news to another group member who saw the post and had been under the impression that such conduct was a “normal part of a routine pediatric physical exam.”

Eventually, the two women realized that they had been patients of Dr. Richard Kauff and reported their experiences to the police. Following an investigation, Kauff was arrested and charged in early November with raping the two victims. And by the time he was arraigned on November 20^th in Hingham District Court, an additional 22 women had stepped forward with allegations that they were also assaulted by Kauff during annual checkups when they were children.

According to authorities, all victims have reported similar details of invasive exams over a period of several years, with claims of abuse for the first two victims spanning from November 1991 to August 2004. Survivors have stated that Kauff would have patients change into paper gowns, lie down on an examination table, and count to three before inserting his fingers into their vaginas. Some survivors also reported that the abuse occurred while parents were present in the exam room, and that Kauff would conceal his actions by blocking their view with his body.

Given that the sheer number of survivors who have already stepped forward with claims against Dr. Kauff shows that there is a clear pattern and alarming history of abuse, authorities suspect there are many other victims who have yet to come forward.

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

Massachusetts Sexual Abuse Attorneys

In 2015, Massachusetts lawmakers passed groundbreaking legislation to greatly expand the rights of child sexual abuse survivors. Specifically, these legislative amendments gave survivors, whom research has shown can take years or decades to process their abuse and its resulting impact on their lives, far more time to file civil lawsuits than what was previously provided for under the law.

Claims against abusers

Under current Massachusetts law (Chapter 260 § 4C), survivors of child sexual abuse must file civil claims against their abuser within 35 years of the final act of abuse or within 7 years of discovering that they suffered damages as a result of their abuse, whichever is later.

There are two important facts about the law and its application in child sexual abuse cases:

• The statute of limitations can be “tolled” until child victims turn 18, which means that survivors have 35 years from the date they turn 18 to file civil claims.
• The statute contains a “delayed discovery” provision allowing child victims to file claims within 7 years of discovering that they suffered damages due to their abuse. This means that victims may still be eligible to file civil lawsuits even if it has been more than 35 years since their abuse, provided they had not previously discovered the connection between their abuse and resulting damages, which may include addiction, anxiety, depression, and other emotional and psychological injuries.

Claims against others, including organizations responsible for the abuse

A separate Massachusetts law governs claims against persons or entities other than the abuser, such as the operator of a facility who allowed the abuse to occur. Under this law, survivors of child sexual abuse that occurred after June 2014 may file civil claims against persons or entities other than the abuser within 35 years of the final act of abuse. 

The “delayed discovery” rule allowing survivors to file within 7 years of discovering that they suffered damages due to their abuse applies the same as in claims against abusers.

Massachusetts’ current statute of limitations for child sexual abuse survivors provides far more time for survivors to take legal action than the previous law, but advocates and some lawmakers are still pushing to eliminate the statute of limitations entirely in child sexual abuse cases. There is currently a proposed bill (S.1038) that is making its way through the state Legislature that would do just that.

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.