Every medical professional who establishes a doctor-patient relationship with someone has a duty not just to provide the best possible medical care to that patient, but also to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully around that patient at all times. If someone providing you with medical treatment instead violated your trust by engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior, you may have grounds to file civil suit over any injuries and subsequent losses you experienced because of that misconduct.
Taking legal action in these situations can be nearly impossible without the help of an experienced sexual abuse attorney. Work with a Bridgeport healthcare sexual abuse lawyer from Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC. We have handled numerous cases like yours, and we are prepared to fight for what you deserve.
Suing a healthcare provider for medical malpractice typically involves proving that they failed to meet the expected “standard of care,” meaning they acted in a way no reasonable and qualified doctor would have under the same circumstances. Sexual misconduct, such as inappropriate comments, denying a patient privacy while undressing, or any form of sexual assault, falls far below this standard. In fact, this kind of behavior is so serious and unacceptable that it could justify legal action even outside of a malpractice claim. You do not necessarily have to prove medical negligence to pursue a lawsuit in these situations.
Another thing worth mentioning here is that in many cases, the administrators of hospitals and other healthcare facilities can be held liable for negligently failing to supervise their employees properly or prevent sexual abuse. As a Bridgeport healthcare sexual abuse attorney can explain in more detail, this can significantly increase the total amount of compensation available, which can be key to recovering fairly for long-term losses stemming from that abuse.
A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand over sexual abuse in a healthcare setting can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm, such as:
Fortunately, Connecticut state law typically has much longer filing deadlines for sexual abuse lawsuits compared to lawsuits predicated entirely upon other forms of medical misconduct, especially if the person impacted by the abuse was a minor at the time that abuse occurred. Still, it can be important to start the legal process sooner rather than later in order to ensure relevant evidence is still readily available. Contacting a capable lawyer should be a top priority for anyone who has experienced healthcare sexual abuse in Bridgeport.
No one deserves to be subjected to any form of sexual abuse under any circumstances, and certainly not by a medical professional whom they trusted with their physical health. Unfortunately, it is far from unheard of for healthcare providers to act unlawfully in this way. Even if you know exactly who abused you and exactly who enabled them, filing civil suit against them can be an intimidating process to go through alone.
A Bridgeport healthcare sexual abuse lawyer can help streamline your legal proceedings, protect your best interests, and fight tirelessly to get you paid fairly for the harm you have unjustly suffered. Call today to discuss your options.
Berkowitz Hanna
1087 Broad St
Bridgeport CT
06604
