ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
GYNECOLOGIST SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYER
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: September 24, 2025
On This Page
- Recognizing Sexual Abuse By A Gynecologist
- Recent Gynecologist Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
- Warning Signs of Gynecologist Sexual Abuse
- Effects of Gynecologist and OB-GYN Sexual Abuse
- What To Do If You Suspect or Have Experienced Gynecologist Sexual Abuse
- Legal Options for Survivors of Gynecologist Sexual Abuse
- Schedule Your Free, Confidential Case Review
Sexual abuse by a gynecologist or OB-GYN is a devastating violation of trust. These incidents occur when a medical professional exploits the unique vulnerability of patients during exams, using the privacy and authority of health care to cause harm. This type of health care sexual abuse is particularly traumatic because it undermines a setting where patients should feel safe and respected.
If you or a loved one has experienced abuse at the hands of a gynecologist, you are not alone. Survivors have legal rights, and compassionate, experienced attorneys can help you pursue justice and accountability. At Andreozzi + Foote, we are committed to standing with survivors, uncovering the truth, and holding the responsible individuals and institutions accountable.
“When a gynecologist abuses their position of trust, it is one of the deepest violations a patient can experience. Survivors deserve justice and the chance to heal. Our firm is committed to standing with survivors and confronting those responsible.”
Recognizing Sexual Abuse By A Gynecologist
Gynecologists and OB-GYNs occupy positions of profound trust and authority. Patients are often partially clothed and physically vulnerable, relying on the provider’s expertise and discretion. These factors make it easier for predators to abuse patients.
Common forms of misconduct include inappropriate touching, unnecessary or invasive procedures, sexual or suggestive comments, and coercion. Sexual misconduct often occurs under the guise of medical necessity. If something feels wrong, confusing, or violating, what happened may be abuse, not care.
Recent Gynecologist Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
The following are some OB-GYNs accused of sexual abuse:
- Dr. Fabio Ortega: Lawsuits allege he sexually abused more than 300 patients and that his employers concealed reports by telling women the conduct was medically necessary.
- Dr. Barry J. Brock: Thirty-five former patients sued the former OB-GYN and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, alleging decades of sexual exploitation and abuse during care.
- Dr. David Broadbent: The OB-GYN faces a second-degree felony charge for forcible sexual abuse after years of complaints from hundreds of patients.
- Dr. James Heaps: The former UCLA OB-GYN was convicted of sexually abusing patients after more than three decades at the university. The case involved abuse carried out under the guise of medical examinations.
- Dr. Robert Hadden: Sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after a 2023 conviction for enticing and inducing victims to travel interstate for unlawful sexual activity.
- Dr. George Tyndall: A federal investigation found USC mishandled reports that its students' health center gynecologist repeatedly assaulted patients, allowing abuse to continue for years.
- Dr. Robert Altman: The California Medical Board has charged the OB-GYN with sexual exploitation and misconduct and initiated disciplinary action.
Warning Signs of Gynecologist Sexual Abuse
Everyone deserves respectful care. However, all too often, abusers exploit the doctor-patient relationship to sexually assault patients. The following are red flags for abuse during an OB-GYN visit:
- Exams without a nurse or chaperone present, especially if one was requested
- Unnecessary disrobing or exposure beyond what is clinically required or without draping or privacy
- Examinations that feel sexual in nature, including touching that seems unrelated to the stated exam purpose
- Refusal to explain procedures or answer questions, rushing consent, or dismissing concerns
- Inappropriate personal or sexual remarks about your body, unrelated to medical care
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, confusing, or violating, it’s okay to stop the exam, ask for a different provider, and seek support.
Effects of Gynecologist and OB-GYN Sexual Abuse
Abuse in a medical setting is a betrayal of trust. Because exams are intimate and providers hold authority, survivors may feel confused, isolated, or even question their own experiences, especially if the abuser framed the actions as necessary. Your reactions are valid, and what happened is not your fault, but the impact of someone else’s choices can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and physical consequences.
Emotional and psychological impacts of sexual abuse often include anxiety, depression, shame or self-blame, panic attacks, nightmares or flashbacks, dissociation, difficulty with trust, and feeling triggered or stressed in clinic settings. Physical consequences include pain or injury from the exam, bleeding, sexually transmitted infections, menstrual or reproductive complications, and trauma-related symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, or headaches.
Experiencing sexual abuse in a care setting can also have long-term impacts, such as disrupted work or school, sleep problems, relationship strain, and avoidance of necessary medical care.
Healing is possible, and trauma-informed support and clear information about your options can help restore your safety and control.
What To Do If You Suspect or Have Experienced Gynecologist Sexual Abuse
You’re not alone, and what happened is not your fault. Here are practical steps to protect your health, preserve evidence, and understand your options.
- Prioritize your health and safety first. Get medical care with a different provider you trust, ask about STI testing, and a trauma-informed follow-up. If the incident was recent, you can inquire about a forensic exam to document injuries and collect evidence. Consider contacting a therapist or local advocacy group for confidential emotional support.
- Document what you experienced. Write a timeline with dates, locations, and names of anyone present. Save any messages and preserve clothing or materials. Note any physical or psychological symptoms and keep therapy or medical records organized.
- Report your concerns when you’re ready. You can report the abuse to law enforcement, your state’s medical licensing board, or the clinic’s patient compliance office.
- Speak with experienced legal counsel. Our attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your rights and pursue accountability.
Legal Options for Survivors of Gynecologist Sexual Abuse
Survivors of health care sexual abuse can seek justice through multiple avenues. Licensing boards handle professional discipline and complaints, while the civil legal system focuses on financial accountability and driving systemic change. In a civil case, you may pursue claims against both the individual provider and the institution that enabled the misconduct.
Civil lawsuits can seek several forms of compensation. These include economic damages, which cover financial losses like medical expenses and lost income, and non-economic damages, which compensate for the more subjective impacts. In addition, a court may award punitive damages in rare cases to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct.
The statutes of limitations vary by state, and the deadlines often depend on factors like the survivor’s age, discovery rules, revival windows, and special notice-of-claim requirements for public entities. Andreozzi + Foote tracks these laws across jurisdictions and can explain your options now to help preserve your rights.
Schedule Your Free, Confidential Case Review
If you’re considering moving forward, know that you don’t have to do it alone and don’t have to make any decisions immediately. At Andreozzi + Foote, we offer free, confidential, no-obligation consultations.
To speak with a sexual abuse lawyer who will listen, support, and guide you with compassion and professionalism, call us at (866) 311-8640 or contact us online.
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We understand the courage it takes to reach out for help, and we are here to listen. At Andreozzi + Foote, our trauma-informed attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate, confidential support every step of the way. With extensive experience in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where your voice is heard and your rights are fiercely protected. Contact us today for a free, in-depth consultation and take the first step toward justice.