HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FL — March 3, 2026 — Andreozzi + Foote, together with co-counsel Horowitz Law, has filed a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Highlands County on behalf of five women who allege they were sexually assaulted at a Sebring healthcare practice operated by physician Dr. Jorge Zeledon.
Since August 2025, authorities have filed multiple criminal charges against Dr. Zeledon in separate cases involving allegations from more than a dozen individuals. Those criminal proceedings are separate from this civil lawsuit, which involves allegations brought by five women and examines whether responsible parties failed to protect patients.
The lawsuit names Kidney and Internal Medicine Specialist of Central Florida, Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA, and Marta E. Arango-Zeledon, his wife, as defendants. Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA is the corporate medical practice through which Dr. Zeledon provided care. The lawsuit alleges that these entities breached their duty of care to the plaintiffs by ultimately failing to protect them from sexual battery by Dr. Zeledon.
According to the complaint, four of the plaintiffs, identified by pseudonyms to protect their privacy, allege they were subjected to medically unnecessary and non-consensual sexual touching by the physician during routine examinations at the practice located at 6801 Highway 27 North, Suite C3, in Sebring, Florida.
One plaintiff alleges that once, while she accompanied her father to his appointments with Dr. Zeledon, the doctor put her hand on her back and then buttocks. According to the suit, she did not allow her father to see him again, fearing she would be groped at future appointments.
Several plaintiffs allege repeated incidents occurring across multiple appointments; one alleges inappropriate touching spanning from August 2019 to November 2023. According to the lawsuit, this sexual misconduct did not arise from any diagnosis or treatment.
The complaint further alleges that Dr. Zeledon engaged in similar unwanted sexual conduct with other female patients. It also alleges that his wife, who worked for the practice, knew or should have known that he was unfit to continue treating patients and failed to intervene, report the conduct, or protect patients, despite being directly informed of sexual assault and harassment allegations before the plaintiffs’ abuse ended.
Civil Lawsuit Alleges Liability
The lawsuit asserts claims of vicarious liability and direct liability against Kidney and Internal Medicine Specialist of Central Florida and Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA, alleging the entities are legally responsible for misconduct that occurred within the scope of the physician’s role at the practice and that, because of his role as a managing partner, Dr. Zeledon’s actions are indistinguishable from those of the practice.
In addition, the lawsuit brings a claim for negligent retention and supervision against the practice entities and Marta E. Arango-Zeledon, the wife of Dr. Zeledon. The defendants owed the patients a duty of reasonable care, and they knew, or should have known, that Zeledon was unfit, dangerous, and a threat to the safety and welfare of women entrusted to him for medical services, according to the suit.
The complaint further alleges that there were multiple prior complaints of sexual misconduct involving Dr. Zeledon, including reports made to law enforcement and/or the Florida Department of Health.
Due to their psychological, emotional, and physical injuries resulting from the alleged misconduct, plaintiffs seek compensatory damages. They are also requesting a jury trial.
“Patients place immense trust in the physicians who treat them,” Benjamin Andreozzi, Partner, Andreozzi + Foote, said. “This lawsuit alleges that Dr. Zeledon abused that trust and used his position within his own medical practice to harm patients. Civil litigation provides a way to examine his conduct and pursue accountability.”
Attorneys representing the women believe additional individuals have experienced similar conduct and encourage anyone with information or concerns to come forward. Individuals seeking a free and confidential consultation may contact Andreozzi + Foote at info@vca.law.
About Andreozzi + Foote
Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Maria Smith
Andreozzi + Foote
4503 N Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Email: marias@vca.law
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Image source: Dr. Jorge Zeledon, courtesy of the Highlands News-Sun.
