Bridgeport, Connecticut Doctor Abuse Lawyers

Attorneys for Sexual Abuse by Doctors, Nurses, or Other Medical Professionals in Bridgeport, CT

Doctors, nurses, and other staff members at medical facilities will often have unsupervised interactions with patients. Similar to teachers, coaches, and clergy, these professionals have a duty to protect the patients who are under their care. In some cases, these medical professionals may use their position and access to harm the people who are under their care.

Doctors and other medical professionals who violate the Hippocratic Oath by sexually assaulting patients must be held responsible. Hospitals and facilities that allow abuse to continue must also be held responsible.

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our attorneys help victims of sexual abuse take steps to recover compensation. Nothing can undo what was done, but pursuing recovery can help survivors of abuse to close the door on the abuse they experienced so they can move on with their lives.

Sexual Abuse Can Happen to Anyone at Any Time

There is no single profile that describes a victim of physician or medical professional abuse. Victims can range in age from infants or toddlers to the elderly. The abuse itself may also be varied. Doctors or nurses may speak to patients in sexually inappropriate ways, expose themselves to patients, or make contact by groping or penetrating a patient.

Challenges When Reporting Sexual Abuse by Doctors

If sexual abuse happened once, it is likely to happen again. Victims of sexual abuse by medical professionals may try to avoid confrontation by reasoning that abuse only occurred one time or by telling themselves they are likely the only victim. The reality is that abuse is seldom an isolated incident. Abusers typically engage in repeated acts of abuse against multiple patients.

Patients may be confused about what happened, or they may even be embarrassed. In many cases, patients fear that they will not be believed, and they may be intimidated by their abusers if they confront them.

These fears are not entirely unfounded. Medical boards and officials often allow physicians to continue practicing after allegations of abuse arise. Instead of revoking a physician's license, a medical board may suspend it for a period of time or put limited restrictions on a person's practice. Hospitals and medical clinics do not always report sexual abuse to law enforcement. Instead, they may quietly dismiss or reassign offending physicians.

It is important for victims of doctor sexual abuse to have a strong advocate by their side who can help them. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we fight to protect the rights and interests of victims, helping them stand up to intimidation and fighting to make sure justice is served.

We Hold Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Staff Accountable for Sexual Abuse of Children

One prominent hospital sexual abuse case handled by our firm involved Dr. George Reardon, a physician at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Dr. Reardon sexually abused hundreds of children in the hospital during examinations. Approximately 60,000 pornographic images of children were found in his former home. This case is extremely significant not only due to the number of images and victims, but also because of the decision made by Connecticut's Supreme Court.

On July 16, 2013, Connecticut's highest court released the landmark decision of Tim Doe v. St. Francis Hospital. As a boy, Tim Doe was sexually abused from 1968 to 1972 by Dr. Reardon. We filed a lawsuit on behalf of Tim, and we tried the case in 2011. A jury awarded Tim $2.75 million from the hospital. Tim's joy was short-lived, as the hospital filed an appeal. However, after waiting almost two years, the Supreme Court affirmed Tim's victory.

This Supreme Court decision is significant not only for Tim but for all people who have been sexually abused. In the decision, the court found that any employer, including a hospital, can be held responsible if one of its employees sexually abuses a child and the employer should have known what was going on. In addition, the court affirmed that when a company, a school, a church, or anyone else has custody of a child, it must take steps to protect the child from harm. It is not enough for the employer to say, "I did not know my employee was sexually abusing children." Steps have to be taken by the employer to protect that child.

Our History Representing Victims of Sexual Abuse

We could not be happier about the decision, as it provides added protection to children to prevent them from being sexually abused. More than 20 years ago, Tremont Sheldon P.C. became one of the first firms in Connecticut to represent victims of sexual abuse, and since that time, we have represented over 150 victims. By taking Tim's case all the way to the Supreme Court and prevailing, we have been a leader in the field of representing victims. However, we are also working to make the world safer for all of our children.

Contact Our Bridgeport Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorneys

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we understand the concerns that people and families may have about reporting sexual abuse. We are adept at protecting the privacy interests of our clients while fighting to hold abusers accountable. Our attorneys are experienced, compassionate, and professional when representing our clients. We create an environment where clients can feel safe and confident in our ability to see that justice is done.

Talk to our attorneys about what happened. We'll tell you how we can help and what we can do to protect you during your case. Contact our Bridgeport, CT medical professional sexual abuse lawyers at 203-335-5145 to arrange your free, confidential consultation.