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Medical practitioners are trusted professionals who have sworn an oath to uphold specific ethical standards in the care and treatment of patients. Sexual abuse by a doctor or medical professional is among the worst kinds of betrayal. It can leave victims with severe emotional and psychological trauma. At DRZ Law, our Kansas attorneys are knowledgeable about cases involving doctor sexual abuse, and passionate about protecting the rights of survivors. We can help you bring a lawsuit against a hospital or institution that turned a blind eye to complaints of doctor sexual abuse or knowingly protected a perpetrator. We offer free initial consultations that are always 100 percent confidential.
Medical professional sexual abuse typically involves a health care practitioner – a physician, nurse, physician’s assistant, OBGYN, dentist or therapist – abusing a position of power to take advantage of a patient for sexual purposes. It can often be difficult for a patient to differentiate between medically necessary actions and sexual assault, especially if a child has been groomed by a pediatrician or sports doctor for many years. The following are examples of actions and behaviors that are not normal for a doctor’s visit:
Sexual abuse by a doctor often goes unreported for months or even years by victims. A high-profile example is Dr. Larry Nassar – the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State doctor who was convicted of sexually abusing young gymnasts for decades. His victims stayed silent for so long for a variety of reasons, including fear of not being believed, and manipulation by Nassar that had led them to believe that the abuse was routine or medically necessary. Coming forward about doctor sexual abuse is difficult and can be overwhelming, but it can be critical for your future.
In a case involving sexual abuse by a medical professional, the institution the doctor worked for can often be held responsible in a civil lawsuit. An employer or institution can be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees, including health care providers. A health care center may also be held liable of its own accord, such as if it perpetuated abuse by hiding information about a sexual assault complaint or concealing the background of an abusive doctor. As the victim of doctor sexual abuse, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the:
Taking legal action against not only the perpetrator but also the larger institution that failed to protect patients can help you and your family move forward. This type of lawsuit requires assistance from an experienced lawyer. You need an attorney who has gone up against powerful adversaries in the past and won. When a trusted institution fails to protect those who are vulnerable to abuse, such as patients who look to their doctors for proper care, an doctor sexual abuse attorney can take aggressive action to demand justice on your behalf.
If you are not sure whether you need to hire an attorney to handle your doctor sexual abuse case, compare the pros and cons. In general, going up against a doctor or medical facility is a daunting task, as hospitals have ample resources and aggressive legal teams to contest liability. These cases are not simple – especially for a victim who is already dealing with the emotional and psychological toll of sexual trauma. Hiring a lawyer to handle the legal process for you can come with many benefits, including:
One of the only cons mentioned by clients who are reluctant to hire attorneys is the perceived cost of legal representation. We make high-quality legal services affordable at DRZ Law, however, by adjusting our fee arrangements based on the needs of the client. Our doctor sexual abuse attorneys can handle cases on a contingency fee basis or fee-based structure. Contingency fees mean you will only pay your lawyer if your case results in financial compensation. Our goal is to give every sexual abuse survivor in Kansas access to exceptional legal representation.
Financial compensation is the very least that you deserve as a victim of doctor sexual abuse in Kansas. No amount of money can ever make up for the terrible crimes you have lived through or the effects they have had on your life. A fair and full monetary recovery, however, could relieve you and your family of financial stress and enable you to pay for the care that you need, such as seeing a therapist or taking prescription medications to cope with what you experienced.
As a doctor sexual abuse victim in Kansas, you could be eligible for the following types of financial compensation:
In some sexual assault and abuse cases in Kansas, the courts also award punitive damages. This type of award serves to punish the defendant rather than reimburse a victim. Punitive damages are often granted to set an example and deter others in the community from engaging in the same misconduct in the future. Before you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, discuss the value of your doctor sexual abuse case with our attorneys.
No patient or parent wants to consider the possibility of being sexually abused by a trusted physician, nurse or health care practitioner. If you find yourself in this devastating situation, contact DRZ Law for answers and hope for the future. Our committed medical professional sexual abuse lawyers can help you bring a claim against a hospital or organization that allowed the sexual abuse to occur. Please call (913) 400-2033 or contact us online today to request a free, confidential case evaluation.
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