Chicago Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorney
Sexual abuse by doctors and other health care professionals is a grave ethical violation, criminal offense, and civil tort in Illinois. For a victim, it is a terrible wrongdoing that can never be made right. At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, our attorneys do all they can to help survivors of doctor sexual abuse in Chicago and throughout Illinois reclaim their lives.
Filing a civil claim with our help can allow you to hold a perpetrator accountable and achieve the justice you rightfully deserve. Our team of Chicago sexual abuse attorneys will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will believe you.
Why Clients Choose Us
- We are Chicago’s fastest-growing personal injury law firm.
- Our lawyers are nationally recognized for achieving record-breaking case results.
- We pride ourselves on our dedication to clients. You will always come first.
- Our attorneys are prepared to take your doctor’s sexual abuse case to trial, if necessary.
- We don’t charge a dime for our services unless the client wins the case.
What Is Doctor Sex Abuse?
Physicians have a legal and ethical obligation to do no harm to their patients. Unfortunately, not all healthcare professionals follow these principles. Some go well beyond ethical violations and into committing heinous crimes against vulnerable patients.
Doctor sexual abuse refers to a health care provider engaging in nonconsensual sexual contact with a patient. Any sexual contact that is inappropriate, forced, done through threat of force or violence, or while the patient is under the influence of anesthesia constitutes sexual abuse. This crime can take place in a doctor’s office, hospital, emergency room, school, college, or sports organization.
Sexually abusive acts may include inappropriate touching of the private parts, groping or fondling, kissing, unnecessary penetration with medical devices, inserting ungloved fingers into the vagina or anus, rape or attempted rape, and other acts of sexual assault often done under the guise of normal medical treatment.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Doctor Sexual Abuse in Chicago?
Criminal charges for sexual abuse in Illinois aim to convict a defendant of an offense and inflict a sentence as punishment, such as jail time or registration on the Illinois Sex Offender Database. A civil lawsuit, however, aims to hold one or more parties liable, or financially responsible, for the victim’s losses.
Multiple parties could be held liable for a case of doctor sexual abuse in Chicago, including:
- Chiropractors
- Dentists
- Medical technicians
- Physician assistants
- Primary care physicians
- Registered nurses
- Specialists
- Surgeons
- Therapists and psychiatrists
It may also be possible to hold the entire healthcare organization or establishment liable for doctor sexual abuse. A hospital, surgical center, emergency room, or another facility could be held vicariously liable for the negligence of its employees. It could also be held directly liable for its own acts of negligence, such as ignoring complaints of sexual misconduct by a physician.
Financial Compensation Available for Victims of Doctor Sex Abuse in Chicago
A successful civil claim against one or more parties for the injustice of doctor sexual abuse could lead to a financial payout to help the victim move forward. A survivor may be eligible for compensation for past and future losses, including the long-term effects of doctor sexual abuse.
Available compensation may cover:
- Medical costs
- Counseling and therapies
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental damage
- Psychological trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Fear, chronic anxiety, and panic attacks
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Loss of enjoyment of life
At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, we recognize that no amount of money is enough to make up for doctor sexual abuse. However, we will do what we can to pursue maximum financial compensation for survivors and their families to help them move forward.
How to Report Doctor Sexual Abuse in Chicago
If you have experienced sexual abuse by a medical professional in Chicago, you are not alone. Do not suffer in silence. Take the following steps to report this crime and get the help and support that you need:
- Tell someone you trust. It can be difficult to come forward with your story of doctor sexual abuse, but you deserve justice and accountability. Tell a trusted friend or family member what happened.
- Contact law enforcement. Notify the police of the sexual abuse or assault incident and file a report. Cooperate with them if they continue with a criminal investigation into the physician.
- Seek medical attention. Find a healthcare center in Chicago that offers the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. You can bring a friend or someone else with you to the exam if desired.
- Preserve evidence. Keep the clothing you were wearing, if possible. Document evidence of the abuse, such as taking photos of physical injuries and speaking to witnesses.
- Get mental health support. Receive professional care from a counselor, therapist or psychiatrist about the trauma you have endured. There are also support groups for sexual abuse victims in Chicago.
When you are ready to seek justice in the form of a civil lawsuit for doctor sexual abuse, consult with an attorney. Your lawyer can guide you through the complex legal process that lies ahead to help you achieve the best results possible.
Can I File a Claim if the Doctor Was Never Charged With a Crime?
Yes, you still have the right to file a personal injury claim for doctor sexual abuse in Illinois if the perpetrator never faced criminal charges. The criminal and civil justice systems operate independently of one another.
You do not need a sex crime conviction to pursue compensation from the defendant through a civil lawsuit. If the physician faced charges but was acquitted, this still does not preclude you from going to court with a civil claim. The burden of proof is different in a civil case compared to a criminal case.
It is “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” in a criminal sexual abuse case but the lesser burden of a “preponderance of the evidence” in a civil case (more likely to be true than not true). This means that even if the burden was not met in a criminal case against the defendant, he or she could still be held liable for sexually abusing you.
Contact Our Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love is a victim of doctor sexual abuse in Chicago or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to contact Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC for help. We will guide you through the legal process in the pursuit of justice, closure, and fair compensation. Call (312) 321-8414 to request a free and confidential case evaluation today.