GYNECOLOGIST SEXUAL ABUSE

Amplifying the Voices of Abused Gynecological Patients

Levy Konigsberg is currently hearing from women across the country who have been victimized by sexual abuse carried out by their gynecologists. In recent years, many women have come forth to describe inexcusable acts of sexual abuse and molestation under the guise of medical care. There is evidence that the medical institutions employing these abusers enabled the abuse to take place over many decades. For the victims, it is now time to take legal action and demand compensation and justice.

Gynecologists hold positions of trust that are critical to the health of women. While most gynecologists honor that trust, recent lawsuits and cases have shown that some gynecologists have betrayed that trust by sexually abusing their patients. We know that the thought of filing a claim against your abuser can be a difficult step, which is why we promise to approach the case with sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality. Your privacy and comfort will always be in focus as we work on your case.

Gynecologist Abuse in the News

Many women understandably hesitate to come forth with allegations of sexual abuse carried out by their own gynecologists even when the abuse is clear and has caused suffering and psychological trauma. You should know that several gynecologist abuse lawsuits in recent years have been successful and have helped bring justice to women across the country. These important cases also benefit the public by holding these abusive doctors accountable for their outrageous acts while helping to prevent sexual abuse by gynecologists in future patients.

Some noteworthy and recent gynecologist abuse lawsuits are:

• Dr. Barry Brock – Dr. Barry Brock is an OB-GYN affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other prominent Los Angeles facilities. Reportedly, Dr. Barry Brock has been accused of sexually assaulting over 35 patients. The allegations suggest that he has abused women throughout his professional career spanning four decades. Some of the reports specify him subjecting women to unwanted sexual comments, inappropriate touching during exams, and unnecessary, invasive procedures without consent. Several medical institutions, including Cedars-Sinai and Beverly Hills OB-GYN, are alleged to have ignored or covered up Brock’s misconduct, enabling his abuse. These claims are now the subject of legal action in Los Angeles County Superior Court, to seek justice for the victims and also punish the organizations which were negligent in their duties of protecting these women.
• Dr. Robert Hadden – Former gynecologist Robert Hadden was accused by dozens of female patients, including Evelyn Yang, wife of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, of sexual abuse during events that took place between 1993 and 2012 while Hadden worked at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. In December 2021, the two hospital systems reached a $71.5 million settlement with 79 of Hadden’s former patients. In January 2023, Hadden was convicted in federal court on four counts of inducing patients to travel across state lines for routine examinations during which he sexually assaulted them. The federal conviction came six years after he pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor sex charges in state court.
• Dr. James Heaps – Former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps was accused of sexual abuse by more than 200 women across dozens of cases. Accusations against Heaps date back to the ‘90s, with most women stating that he hid his intentions behind professional courtesy and kindness. However, as more and more unnecessary gynecological and breast examinations and procedures were carried out across the decades, it became undeniable that Heaps was sexually molesting his patients all along. UCLA agreed to settle those allegations with a $243.6 million settlement fund. In October 2022, Heaps was convicted on three counts of sexual battery by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person.
• Dr. George Tyndall – Former USC student health center gynecologist George Tyndall was accused of sexual abuse by hundreds of women, many of whom claimed that he also took sexually explicit photographs of them during examinations. After Tyndall was arrested in 2019 and charged with 18 counts of sexual penetration and 11 counts of sexual battery by fraud, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights office found that USC mishandled reports of Tyndall’s misconduct, allowing him to continue abusing patients for decades. In March 2021, USC agreed to pay $1.1 billion in settlements to female patients abused by Tyndall.
• Dr. David Broadbent – Former Utah OB-GYN Dr. David H. Broadbent is facing lawsuits from over 100 women who accuse him of sexual abuse during his more than 40-year career. Broadbent allegedly performed unnecessary medical exams to satisfy his sexual desires, exploiting his patients’ trust and lack of medical knowledge. Many of his victims, including pregnant women, reported that he touched them inappropriately during exams without warning or explanation, causing both physical and emotional distress. Despite numerous complaints, Broadbent’s employers, including Intermountain Healthcare and MountainStar Healthcare, allegedly ignored the reports, allowing the abuse to continue. In September 2022, Broadbent was criminally charged with forcible sexual abuse for an incident in 2020, marking the first criminal charge against him. In August 2024, the Utah Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit against him, allowing nearly 100 women to pursue legal claims outside the constraints of medical malpractice laws. Broadbent has since surrendered his medical license, effectively ending his medical career.
• Dr. Fabio Ortega – Chicago-based gynecologist Dr. Fabio Ortega is facing accusations of sexual abuse from over 300 women, many of whom were Spanish-speaking, pregnant, or inexperienced in gynecological care. The abuse allegations date back to the early 1990s during his employment at Swedish Covenant Hospital and NorthShore University Health System. Ortega allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior under the guise of routine medical care, including conducting unnecessary pelvic, breast, and vaginal examinations, often using his fingers without gloves. He was arrested in September 2018 after a patient reported sexual assault at his Skokie office in 2017. Following his arrest, hundreds of additional women came forward with similar stories, revealing a pattern of abuse that spanned decades. Despite knowing about the allegations, Swedish Covenant and NorthShore allowed Ortega to continue practicing unsupervised. In 2021, Ortega pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault and was sentenced to three years in jail. His medical license has been revoked, but legal action continues as survivors seek to hold both Ortega and the healthcare institutions accountable for the trauma they endured

How a Lawsuit Can Help

For those that have been victimized, the importance of filing a gynecologist sex abuse lawsuit cannot be overstated. Your claim or lawsuit – whether it joins many others in a mass tort or class action – could be what exposes a sexual predator to the public, removes them from their position of authority, and protects other patients from suffering the same or similar abuses in the future.

At the same time, it is important to also understand the benefits of securing a financial award or settlement from your abuser and/or the medical institution that enabled or harbored them. Gaining a tangible monetary award from a successful lawsuit can help you find financial stability and a sense of closure, which is crucial for the healing process.

New York Adult Survivors Act

Please note: The New York Adult Survivors Act, which has been recently enacted into law, creates a temporary one-year window for certain adult sexual abuse survivors to take legal action against their abusers, even if previous statutes of limitations had prevented it. This law may allow you to seek justice for gynecological sexual abuse that happened years in the past. You should call right away to discuss your legal options with our attorneys. Again, your opportunity to demand justice and compensation from the abuser and the institute that protected them could be incredibly limited, so you must act quickly.

Discover & Protect Your Rights Now

We want to help you move through the healing process by holding gynecologist sex abusers accountable for their unforgivable acts. When you hire our lawyers, you will be supported by a team of people who genuinely care about your rights and recovery, as well as the overall concept of justice as it is demanded. We will also approach your case carefully and respectfully, so you do not feel pressured to make one decision or another during this difficult time. We have helped so many sex abuse survivors with successful claims and lawsuits in the past, and we would like to do the same for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is sexual abuse by a gynecologist?

A: Sexual abuse by a gynecologist is any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior performed by a gynecologist on a patient during a medical exam or procedure.

Q: What are the signs of sexual abuse by a gynecologist?

A: Signs of sexual abuse by a gynecologist include physical discomfort during an exam, emotional distress after an appointment, and any non-consensual sexual touching or behavior.

Q: What should I do if I suspect I have been a victim of sexual abuse by a gynecologist?

A: If you suspect you have been a victim of sexual abuse by a gynecologist, you should contact the police and report the abuse. You may also want to seek medical attention and counseling to help you process your experience and move forward.

Q: What should I do if I feel uncomfortable during a gynecological exam?

A: If you feel uncomfortable during a gynecological exam, you have the right to ask the doctor to stop and to leave the exam room. You can also report your concerns to the clinic or hospital where the exam took place and request to see a different doctor.

Q: Is it normal to feel embarrassed or ashamed after being sexually abused by a gynecologist?

A: Yes, it is common for victims of sexual abuse to feel embarrassed or ashamed. It is important to remember that the abuse was not your fault and that you have done nothing wrong. Seeking support from loved ones or a mental health professional can help you process your experience and move forward.

Q: What can I do to protect myself from sexual abuse during a gynecological exam?

A: To protect yourself from sexual abuse during a gynecological exam, you can take steps such as:

• Asking for a female doctor if that is your preference;
• Bringing a support person with you to the appointment;
• Speaking up if you feel uncomfortable or if something doesn’t seem right; and
• Trusting your instincts and seeking a second opinion if necessary.

News Resources

• “Some victims of former New York gynecologist Robert Hadden reach $71.5 million settlement” (CNN)
• “University of California system settles gynecologist sex abuse suit for $243.6 million” (NBC News)

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

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.