The state has charged an ex-USC gynecologist of sexual misconduct toward hundreds of students. He now faces almost 30 felonies against 16 women at the campus clinic where he practiced for decades. This could be a potential prison term of up to 53 years, and it gives hope to almost 400 women after a yearlong investigation.
Health Care Providers
Pediatricians and other health care providers are entrusted with the responsibility to improve the health and well-being of their patients. This is not happening as often as it should. Recently, hundreds of sexually abused children spoke out against a pediatrician noting that he took advantage of their trust.
However, it isn’t just those involved in pediatric care. Surveys of physicians and patients revealed that 10% of doctors admit to having sex with their adult patients. Most alarming is 56% of all physicians admit to not receiving any training about provider-patient sexual boundaries. Without proper training, many health care providers cross the line and also sexually abuse their patients. This behavior is unacceptable and wrong. It is important to hold a health care provider accountable for any sexual abuse.
USC Gynecologist Faces 30 Felony Assault Charges
From 1989 to 2016, a USC gynecologist saw hundreds of students. Over the next 27 years, hundreds of women complained to the university and hospital administrators that his conduct was inappropriate. One reason USC hired him was due to his ability to perform colposcopies. This is a procedure looks for disease on the cervix or vagina. Sometimes, he would need to photograph exams. However, this photography led to the first complaints against him.
A 1991 complaint said the doctor initially took close-up photos of her genitals. However, as he walked away from the exam table, the doctor began to take full body pictures and more of his private area. The previous medical director made him destroy the photos, yet the abuse escalated.
He placed small cameras in exam rooms to record women without their consent. This was before he began touching them. In 2016, a USC nursing supervisor went to USC’s rape crisis center and told the executive director that the gynecologist was inappropriately touching students. Administrators finally put him on leave during the investigation.
However, USC administrators reached a secret deal with him in 2018 that allowed him to leave the university with a financial settlement and a clean record with the medical board. This isn’t justice. This is a cover-up. Now, USC is facing billions of dollars in a settlement, and the gynecologist’s bail is set at $2.1 million.
Get Legal Help
Survivors of sexual abuse can file civil suits against perpetrators and other responsible parties, regardless of the outcome or existence of criminal prosecution. Civil lawsuits can help a survivor seek monetary damages. This compensation can never change the abuse suffered but can help rebuild a life.
When residential care facilities, health care providers, group homes, or hospitals take advantage of you, this is wrong. We will hold these institutions liable.
Therefore, a civil suit can deter future abuse. This is why it is important if you or a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse to contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm. We will provide a free consultation and instruct of any avenues available to you for civil litigation.