Dr. Darius Paduch Convicted of Sexually Abusing Multiple Patients, Including Four Children
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (September 4, 2024) – A New York-based urologist identified as Darius Paduch was convicted of sexually abusing several patients, including several children.
The conviction occurred on Wednesday. It comes over a year after his arrest in 2023.
According to the Justice Department, “On April 11, 2023, PADUCH was arrested after a four-count indictment was unsealed charging him with sexually abusing two former patients who were minors during part of the period of abuse.”
Prior to his arrest, Darius Paduch treated men and boys dealing with reproductive health issues. Abuse is alleged to have taken place between 2006 and 2023.
There were seven victims in the federal case. However, more than 200 other men have accused the defendant of misconduct. Prior to this conviction, he worked at Weil Cornell’s Brady Urological Institute.
Liability For New York Physician Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in the field of medicine remains all too common. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “After analyzing more than 100,000 medical board documents, the AJC found that more than 3,100 doctors had faced public accusations of sexual misconduct from 1999 to 2015. The investigation also revealed a broken regulatory system that too often shielded doctors from accountability.” Several factors may contribute to physician sexual abuse.
- Power Dynamics: Doctors are in a position of authority. Patients are likely to assume that whatever their doctor is doing is medically necessary.
- Lack of Oversight: In many healthcare settings, there is a lack of oversight. Without any accountability, abuse may go unnoticed or unaddressed.
- Patient Isolation: Doctors are regularly isolated with patients when they are vulnerable, including when they are undressed.
- Inadequate Training: Doctors may not receive adequate training on professional boundaries.
Depending on the facts of any case, a hospital could be liable for the sexual abuse of their patients. Hospitals must protect patients from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. Many of the lawsuits against hospitals allege that a doctor was negligently hired or retained. In other words, a doctor posed a risk to patients, but the hospital still allowed them to keep their jobs and interact with patients. Hospitals should take a number of measures in order to protect patients from sexual abuse.
- Hospitals should establish clear and comprehensive procedures that explicitly prohibit sexual misconduct.
- Hospitals should understand what factors lead to sexual victimization and predation.
- Hospitals should implement a comprehensive reporting system for sexual misconduct.
- Hospitals should thoroughly screen doctors and all healthcare professionals that see patients.
- Hospitals should encourage chaperones and third-party witnesses during sensitive clinical examinations.
Sexual abuse is one of the most harmful things that most people can experience. Victims are often left with long-term psychological trauma. Abuse in a medical setting is also highly preventable. By the time any doctor is arrested for sexual abuse, there are likely dozens of red flags that were missed. It is important for victims of abuse to understand that they do have rights. Any person who is the victim of sexual abuse may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A sexual abuse attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating New York Physician Sexual Abuse
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the patients who have been harmed by Darius Paduch. This conviction is an important step. But there still needs to be accountability on the part of the hospitals that have allowed this abuse to thrive for decades.
Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by Dr. Darius Paduch? You may have legal recourse. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
