A doctor is being sued by 15 women on accusations of sexual assault. The doctor is 79-year-old hepatologist, Dr. John Carl Hoefs. The doctor, based in Irvine, Orange County, is named in the lawsuit along with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, the Liver Specialty Center, and the UC Regents.
The doctor is being accused of sexually assaulting women who were seeking liver treatment. The doctor had been previously accused of groping the breasts of two female patients during exams (in 2016 and in 2020); he faced seven felony counts for sexual battery.
Reportedly, a plaintiff (Jane Doe 1) said that the doctor’s “conduct was unlikely any [she had] experienced by a doctor.” She also stated that the conduct was so disturbing that she reported his actions to the Medical Board in October 2017.
According to the lawsuit, Dr. Hoefs “took advantage of his patients’ ignorance of the proper administration of hepatology examinations to manipulate and molest his patients for his own lewd sexual interests and sexual gratification.” The lawsuit also claims that staff at the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, the UC Regents, and the Liver Specialty Center failed to report or stop the abuse from happening. The attorney handling the case stated that the doctor was “intentionally having patients disrobe…fondling them, grabbing them, [and] molesting them during the course of medical treatment” with no real medical reason. The attorney claims that there were multiple reports to the medical board and to other doctors. A spokesperson with the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian stated that the doctor is not employed by the hospital but works for an independent practice from a leased space.
Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorneys – Were you abused by your doctor? If you were abused by Dr. Hoefs or by any other doctor, you could have the right to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse. Unfortunately, far too many patients are subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of their doctors. Some patients never speak up to report their abuse because they either do not initially recognize the abuse or because they believe their reports will not be taken seriously. Some patients report the abuse but their reports are not taken seriously.
If you were sexually abused by a doctor, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Our sexual abuse lawyers have decades of experience handling doctor sexual abuse and are fully committed to getting you the recovery that you are owed. If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you, contact the Normandie Law Firm today.
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Sexual Abuse at the Hands of Doctors
Sexual abuse at the hands of doctors, nurses, and other hospital/clinic staff is very common. These individuals take advantage of their positions to abuse patients. Although every situation is different, the sexual abuse that patients could suffer could include the following:
- Rape and attempted rape
- Sodomy
- Penetration with objects
- Groping and fondling
- Forced kissing
- Unnecessary examinations focusing on private areas when not medically required
- Making sexual comments or jokes
- Forcing the victim to touch the attacker in any way
- And more
Of course, sexual abuse can lead to extensive physical, mental, and emotional harm. Injuries could include sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, injuries to genitals, injuries to reproductive organs, post-traumatic stress, depression, panic, fear, anxiety, increased risk of self-harm, and increased risk of substance abuse, etc. No matter the harm that you or member of your family suffered in a sex abuse incident at the hands of a doctor, you could pursue a lawsuit.
Can I Sue for Sexual Abuse by a Doctor?
Yes – you could have the right to file a lawsuit. You could sue your doctor and any other entities involved (including the hospital or the doctor’s employer) for the harm resulting from the sexual abuse. For more information about the legal options available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our sexual abuse experts as soon as possible. Our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Class action lawsuits and mass torts claim – considering how many patients have a
already come forward, it is likely that there are other patients that have experienced sexual abuse at the hands of Dr. Hoefs, class action lawsuits and mass torts claims are likely. Our team is ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and get justice.
Can I Recover Compensation?
Yes, based on the details surrounding your doctor sexual abuse claim, you could be entitled to receive compensation. What compensation can I receive? Although every claim is different, you could be entitled to receive compensation for some of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Treble damages
- Legal costs
How much is my doctor sexual abuse lawsuit worth? This is a very important question. Although every claim is different, these claims can be worth up to $5 million. Here at our law firm, our team is fully committed to fighting for the rights of our clients and getting them the maximum recovery possible. For more information about the possible value of your claim or what you could be eligible to recover, contact us today.
Normandie Law Firm Can Help You!
Our doctor sexual abuse lawyers are fully committed to fighting for your rights and getting you the recovery that you are owed. Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our team is fully committed to fighting for the rights of patients who have been subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of their doctors. You deserve justice. Please do not be afraid to reach out to our legal team and start the legal process as soon as possible.
Free Case Evaluations: our firm offers free case evaluations, which include free consultations and free second opinions, during which our sexual abuse experts will be available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Our team will provide you with all the information necessary to start or continue your claim. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact us today.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. Additionally, our law firm works on a strict contingency structure, so you will not be responsible for paying anything if your claim is not successful. In other words, if you do not win, you will not pay anything at all.
Contact us today to learn more about the legal options available to you!
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