New York Urologist Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Urologists are medical doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the urinary tract system. Their patients may include men, women as well as children. They also focus on treating medical conditions affecting the male reproductive tract. Out of necessity, they often see patients when they are naked and at their most vulnerable. Sadly, many urologists abuse the trust of their patients in the form of sexual abuse.

Much of the abuse that takes place by medical professionals is done under the guise of medical care. Doctors will convince patients that certain procedures or methods are necessary even when they are not. Other types of abuse might be more straightforward and therefore easier to detect. Any person that is sexually abused by a urologist may have legal recourse through a civil claim. The New York urologist sexual abuse lawyers at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here for you. They can investigate your case free of cost and let you know if you have a valid claim that can be pursued. We can investigate the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are. You can contact our office anytime at 800-529-9997.

Common Types Of Sexual Abuse By Urologists

Sexual abuse by medical professionals is far more common than many people may realize. 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.” Many doctors who have been accused of sexual abuse continue to practice medicine for years afterward. Abuse at the hands of medical professionals including urologists could come in many different forms.

• Doctors may inappropriately touch patients while they are sedated.
• Doctors may assault patients under the guise of medicine. This could include performing tests that are medically unnecessary.
• Doctors may coerce patients into sexual relationships.
• Doctors may perform unnecessary surgical procedures on patients.
• Doctors may get patients addicted to prescriptions such as opioids in an effort to better control or manipulate them.
• Doctors may take pictures of their patients while they are undressed when this serves no legitimate medical purpose.

Patients can be at their most vulnerable when they are under the care of medical doctors. They may be anxious about their condition and reluctant to raise any objections to what their doctor is requesting. This is why it is important that medical doctors are properly supervised. It is also important for patients to remember that they can ask that a nurse be present during any type of sensitive examination. Doctors are much more likely to abuse patients when they have little to no supervision.

Liability for Sexual Abuse By Urologists

It is a crime for doctors to sexually abuse patients. Pursuant to New York Penal Law Sections 130.52, “a person is guilty of Forcible Touching when he or she intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, forcibly touches the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person or for the purpose of gratifying the actor’s sexual desire.” When a doctor sexually abuses or inappropriately touches a patient, they may be subject to criminal sanctions and civil liability for their actions.

Depending on the facts of any case, a doctor’s employer could face civil liability for sexual abuse. Hospitals and other medical institutions have a legal responsibility to protect patients from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes sexual abuse at the hands of physicians. When a hospital has actual or constructive notice that a doctor poses a risk to patients, this should move them to take action. For example, a hospital may have had numerous complaints about a particular doctor and never bothered to investigate.

Negligent Hiring and Supervision of Medical Professionals

For the most part, sexual abuse claims against hospitals are typically advanced on the legal theory that a doctor was negligently hired or supervised. If a hospital created a particular hazard or risk to patients, they can be vicariously liable for a doctor’s sexual abuse. Demonstrating that a doctor was negligently hired or supervised can be very challenging. There are several elements that must be demonstrated in any negligent hiring claim.

• The doctor involved was unfit for their job.
• The doctor’s employer knew (or should have known) that they posed a substantial risk of harm to patients.
• The doctor’s unfitness is what caused harm to their patients.
• The hospital’s negligent hiring, supervision, or training was a significant factor in causing a patient’s harm.

Hospitals have many tools at their disposal to protect patients from predatory doctors. This includes but is not limited to conducting background checks, proper supervision, and swift action in the event of allegations of misconduct. Part of the reason that sexual abuse can go on for so long in any institution is that hospitals often fail to investigate the claims of patients. Negligent hiring and supervision claims are essential in holding healthcare institutions accountable and protecting patients.

What To Do If You Were Sexually Abused By A Urologist

Sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic and harmful things that most people will ever go through. It is particularly harmful to children who are robbed of their innocence. Victims of sexual abuse often suffer from long-term anxiety and depression. It can be hard for any abuse victim to know where to begin if they’ve been sexually abused by a urologist or other medical professional. What follows are some of the steps that a person should take if they were abused in a medical setting.

• Preserve Evidence: All evidence related to the abuse should be preserved. This may include clothing, text messages, emails, and all other forms of communication.
• Seek Medical Care: Sexual abuse can leave victims with physical as well as psychological injuries. Be sure to provide healthcare professionals with accurate information about what happened so that it can be documented.
• Create A Police Report: Reporting abuse to the authorities can be a crucial step towards getting justice. The police have the legal authority to investigate what happened and seek out other potential victims to corroborate allegations.
• Consult With A Sexual Abuse Attorney: Speaking with an experienced sexual abuse attorney can be essential in preserving your rights after any instance of physician misconduct. They can guide you through the legal process and make sure that your interests are being taken into consideration.

Hospitals will go out of their way to act as though they have your best interests in mind. While this is typically true with respect to the care that they give patients, it is distinctly untrue when one of their doctors is being accused of sexual abuse. They will go out of their way to either deny any wrongdoing. Or they may try to get patients to settle quickly for little money and sign non-disclosure agreements. An attorney can help you level the playing field if you’ve been the victim of sexual abuse. They can fight on your behalf to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Getting Legal Help After Sexual Abuse Involving A Urologist

Have you or someone that you care about been sexually abused by a New York physician? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that abuse victims get justice and that sexual predators in the medical field are held to account for their actions.

If you’ve been sexually abused by a urologist or other medical professional, you may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here to help in any way that we can. We have decades of experience helping people just like you. In fact, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for our deserving clients. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney we are here for you. You can contact us for help anytime at 800-529-9997.