Former urologist convicted of assaulting adult and juvenile patients faces personal injury lawsuits while the involved hospitals potentially face medical malpractice claims.
A former New York urologist, Darius Paduch, is now facing more than 140 personal injury lawsuits due to accusations of sexual abuse. In fact, 143 additional lawsuits have recently been filed as victims seek justice for this horrifying situation. Patients, who are both adults and juveniles, have come forward to bravely share their stories of abuse during medical exams and procedures when they were at their most vulnerable.
Paduch's Rise and Fall: From Respected Doctor to Serial Predator
Paduch was once a highly respected doctor who worked at some of the most renowned hospitals in the U.S., like New York-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medical Center, and Northwell Health. Now, he’s not remembered as a respected doctor but as a man who preyed on his adult and minor patients who trusted him when they were sick.
The accusations are wild, to say the least. Many victims were violated during routine medical exams and procedures and when no one else was around. People who had come to him for sensitive health concerns found themselves trapped in terrifying situations. And when you hear the details, you will see just how terrifying it was.
The Staggering Number of People Paduch Sexually Abused
The number of reported victims currently stands at over 300, but the real number may be much higher. According to 1and6, an organization that advocates for male victims, only 5-15% of male victims of sexual abuse ever report their experiences. If we take that into account, the actual number of victims could be closer to 2,000. It’s a shocking thought.
Paduch’s case could go down as one of the largest patient sexual abuse scandals against males in U.S. history. And as more victims come forward, it’s possible we’ll see even more lawsuits pile up.
How Hospitals Failed to Act on Complaints
One of the most alarming aspects of this case is the role that the hospitals Paduch worked at may have played in enabling his egregious behavior. Reports suggest that the hospitals where he worked received multiple complaints from patients and staff over the years but failed to do anything about it. Despite these red flags, Paduch continued to practice, allowing him to victimize even more patients over the course of 12 years.
Now, the hospitals themselves are facing legal action for their negligence in failing to protect patients. The plaintiffs claim that by not investigating complaints or disciplining Paduch, the hospitals essentially allowed his abusive behavior to continue.
Healthcare institutions have a legal obligation to uphold a standard duty of care based on what other reasonable medical professionals and institutions would do (it's safe to say most hospitals would have done something had these allegations been made at their institutions). If it is discovered that these hospitals knew about the complaints against Paduch and didn’t act, they could be liable for negligence and possibly medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice cases typically revolve around failing to properly diagnose an ailment or some kind of error in treatment. However, in this instance, the lawsuits argue that allowing a doctor to abuse patients while under the guise of medical treatment is a profound violation of the standard of care that every patient is entitled to.
Criminal Charges and Civil Lawsuits
Paduch is already facing criminal charges and was convicted on 11 federal counts for his actions that spanned from 2007 to 2019, including the enticement of minors for unlawful sexual activity. During the case, it came out that Paduch not only molested his patients but also put them through unnecessary pain for his own sexual gratification, among other horrid details.
Because of this, Paduch awaits sentencing, set for November 2024, and faces 60 years to life in prison for his crimes.
In the meantime, the civil lawsuits against him—and, more importantly, the hospitals—are gaining momentum. Victims are seeking justice through civil claims for the damage done to their lives through personal injury lawsuits.
What Victims Can Seek in Compensation
Personal injury lawsuits can provide a path to justice and healing for victims of sexual abuse. In these cases, compensation will typically include:
- Medical Expenses: Covering both physical and mental health treatments.
- Lost Wages: For those whose abuse impacted their ability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Acknowledging the immense emotional toll the abuse caused.
- Punitive Damages: In cases involving particularly heinous conduct like this, courts may impose additional penalties to punish the wrongdoers and deter others from similar behavior in the future. In this case, punitive damages are likely since these hospitals allegedly knew about the abuse but failed to stop it to protect their own reputations.
Why You Should Speak with a Sexual Abuse Lawyer
For anyone who’s been a victim of sexual abuse by a medical professional, the trauma can be life-changing. And while nothing can undo the harm, victims deserve the opportunity to hold the abuser—and any complicit institutions—accountable and seek the professional help they need.
If you or someone you love was abused by Darius Paduch or another healthcare professional, it's important to know that you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against them and the institution they worked at. Speaking to a sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your rights and explore ways to seek compensation for your suffering.
Contact us by calling 727-451-6900 or by filling out our simple contact form.