San Francisco, CA Doctor Sexual Assault Lawyer

We understand the immense courage it takes to come forward and seek justice for the traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted by a trusted medical professional. We are here to support you through every step of the legal process, providing compassionate and experienced representation tailored to your unique situation.

At Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, we are committed to advocating for victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault by doctors and medical professionals. Our mission is to empower survivors by holding medical professionals and the institutions that protect them accountable and ensuring that survivors know all legal options available to them. We believe that every survivor has the right to a voice and a fair legal process.

Our San Francisco, CA doctor sexual assault lawyer has experience in handling cases of medical sexual abuse and assault. We have a deep understanding of the legal complexities involved in such cases and are well-versed in the laws that protect survivors’ rights. Our commitment to staying informed about the latest legal developments ensures that we provide the most effective representation for our clients.

We recognize that pursuing legal action against a physician or other medical professional can be an emotionally challenging process. We provide a supportive and compassionate environment for survivors and use a trauma-informed approach when communicating with our clients. We take the time to listen to your story, validate your experiences, and work collaboratively to build a strong case on your behalf. We are not afraid to take on powerful institutions in the pursuit of justice. 

What is Doctor Sexual Assault?

Doctor sexual assault is considered by the California Medical Board to be among the most egregious types of misconduct that a physician can commit. It may include inappropriate touching, sexual comments, or penetration unrelated to any legitimate medical procedure. Some types of doctor appointments are by nature intimate, but licensed physicians and other medical professionals must refrain from inappropriate touching or unpleasant and unwanted sexual advances toward a patient. Even comments about the shape of your body or jokes about your dating life may be considered sexual harassment or assault. Personal relationships that develop between a physician and a patient may also be considered sexual misconduct. Physicians and medical staff should provide privacy or medical coverings when asking a patient to disrobe, they should wear gloves when physically touching a sensitive area of the patient’s body, they should provide chaperones for sensitive medical examinations, and they should not take photographs except with a patient’s express consent and only if they have a valid medical purpose. Failing to do so may be indicators of inappropriate conduct. Doctor sexual assault may also happen when patients are anesthetized. If you’re unsure whether what you experienced was sexual assault, ask one of our San Francisco doctor sexual assault lawyers.

Doctor Sexual Assault is Widespread 

Over the last decade, doctor-patient sexual assault has proved to be a widespread epidemic. Thousands of patients have come forward to expose doctors they trusted for the most egregious abuse and misconduct. No person has been immune from such abuse, and survivors have included athletes, women, men, gender non-conforming individuals, students, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Allegations against physicians such as George Tyndall, James Heaps, Larry Nassar, William Thompson, Dennis Kelly, and Robert Anderson have been numerous and alarming. Exposing abuse by physicians has been an important step in curbing such horrific conduct. 

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Doctor Sexual Assault? 

In addition to the abusive doctor being held responsible, the hospital, medical facility, or even university that employs the doctor should be held accountable in certain circumstances. It is often the case that a hospital or medical facility that employs the abusive doctor may have received prior complaints about the doctor’s misconduct. When a hospital or medical facility that employs an abusive doctor is on notice of the misconduct and fails to investigate complaints, fails to discharge or discipline the doctor, or hides or conceals the abuse, the institution may also be held liable for the assault. 

What legal remedies are available if I am sexually assaulted by my doctor?

Victims of doctor sexual assault may be entitled to various legal remedies, including:

• Compensation for damages: Seeking financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the abuse. 
• Professional Accountability: Holding the responsible doctor, medical professional, hospital, or other medical companies or entities accountable for their actions through licensing board complaints and filing civil lawsuits. 
• Preventing Future Abuse: Taking legal steps to ensure that the perpetrator is no longer able to harm others, including exposing the perpetrator’s sexual misconduct. 

Our Approach at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP

• Protecting Your Privacy and Maintaining Confidentiality: Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. We handle your case with the highest level of confidentiality, ensuring that your sensitive information is protected throughout the legal process. 
• Thorough Investigation and Case Strategy: We conduct thorough investigations to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a comprehensive case against the doctor perpetrator and the powerful entities who enabled the abuse. Our goal is to present a compelling case that stands up to legal scrutiny.
• Empowering Survivors of Doctor Sexual Assault: We believe in empowering survivors throughout the legal process. We keep you informed about the progress of your case, answer any questions you may have, and involve you in key decision-making processes. 

Contact a San Francisco, CA Doctor Sexual Assault Lawyer at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP

If you or a loved one has been a victim of doctor sexual assault or doctor sexual abuse, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our team of experienced attorneys at Kellogg & Van Aken LLP are here to provide the legal support and guidance you need to navigate this challenging journey toward justice. Your voice deserves to be heard, and we are here to help you reclaim your rights.

Contact us for a free confidential consultation to learn more about your legal options.