In this page, we explain how to recognize sexual abuse by an OB-GYN or gynecologist, what horrific recent cases reveal about the scope of the problem, and how survivors may be able to hold their gynecologist, the hospital or healthcare facility, and other third parties accountable. We also cover sexual abuse filing deadlines, evidence, compensation, and what to do next if you were sexually abuse by your OBGYN.
Quick Answer
If an OB-GYN touched you sexually, examined you without a medical reason, or made sexual comments during your care, you may have a civil claim against the doctor and, in many cases, against the hospital, clinic, or medical group that employed them. You don't need a criminal conviction to file. Deadlines depend on state law, and some states have reopened older claims, so it's worth having your situation reviewed even if the abuse happened years ago.
Quick Facts About OB-GYN Sexual Abuse Claims
- Who may have a claim: Patients abused during gynecological or obstetric care, including during pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and procedures under sedation.
- Who may be liable: The OB-GYN, plus hospitals, clinics, and medical groups that knew or should have known about the risk.
- Criminal charges: Not required to file a civil lawsuit.
- Deadlines: Set by state law. California has a revival window open through December 31, 2027 for certain adult sexual assault claims.
- Cost: Dolman Law Group handles these cases on a contingency fee. You never pay unless we win your case.
- Free, confidential case review: 833-552-7274
Most people go to an OB-GYN at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives: a first pelvic exam, a pregnancy, a delivery, a surgery. That trust is exactly what an abusive doctor exploits. And because legitimate gynecological care involves intimate contact, many survivors spend years unsure whether what happened to them was wrong.
If something about an exam has stayed with you, you don't need to have it figured out before you reach out. File Abuse Lawsuit is published by Dolman Law Group, and our attorneys can review what happened, explain your options, and tell you whether a deadline applies. Request a free, confidential case review.
What Is OB-GYN Sexual Abuse?
OB-GYN sexual abuse is any sexual contact, sexualized exam, or sexual comment by an obstetrician or gynecologist that has no legitimate medical purpose or happens without your informed consent. It can happen during a routine checkup, a prenatal visit, labor and delivery, or a procedure while you're sedated.
The Federation of State Medical Boards, which represents the boards that license doctors, defines physician sexual misconduct as behavior that "exploits the physician-patient relationship in a sexual way." Its 2020 workgroup report specifically lists performing an intimate exam "with or without gloves and without clinical justification" as misconduct, along with sexually suggestive language or gestures.
In OB-GYN care, abuse often looks like:
- Pelvic, breast, or rectal exams that aren't medically necessary, or that go on longer than the exam requires
- Touching or penetration that isn't part of the procedure being performed
- Sexual comments about your body, appearance, or sex life
- Exams or procedures performed without your consent, including while you're under anesthesia
- Photographs taken without your permission
- Unnecessary procedures performed under the cover of treatment
For a broader look at abuse across medical settings, see our guide to sexual abuse during medical care.
What Should and Shouldn't Happen During a Gynecological Exam?
A legitimate gynecological exam is explained to you, done with your consent, and limited to what your care actually requires. If a doctor skips those steps, or the exam feels sexual rather than clinical, that's a warning sign worth taking seriously.
| Part of the exam | What's normal | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The doctor tells you what they're about to do and why | No explanation, or an explanation that doesn't match what happens |
| Consent | You agree to each part of the exam and can stop it at any time | The doctor ignores a request to stop or pressures you to continue |
| Chaperone | A chaperone is offered or present for breast, genital, and rectal exams | The doctor insists on being alone with you or sends the chaperone out |
| Gloves | Gloves are worn for any internal exam | Bare-handed touching of intimate areas |
| Scope and length | Touching is limited to what the exam requires | Prolonged touching, repeated exams, or contact unrelated to your visit |
| Comments | Clinical, respectful language | Remarks about your body, appearance, or sex life |
| Sedation | You know in advance what will happen while you're under | Exams you never agreed to, or symptoms after sedation you can't explain |
Two professional standards back this up. The FSMB report notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends "a chaperone be present for all breast, genital, and rectal examinations," and the FSMB supports that recommendation. And in April 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told hospitals in memo QSO-24-10 that breast, pelvic, prostate, and rectal exams performed for teaching purposes require the patient's informed consent, with a written consent form when the patient is under anesthesia.
Why Can OB-GYN Sexual Abuse Go Unnoticed for Years?
OB-GYN abuse often goes undetected because real gynecological care involves intimate contact, so patients aren't sure where the line is, and because institutions have sometimes failed to act on the complaints they did receive. In several of the cases below, patients allege that warnings were ignored for years.
A few factors make these cases especially hard to recognize:
- You often can't see the exam. Most of a pelvic exam happens out of your line of sight, which makes it easy for an abuser to pass off improper contact as clinical.
- The timing is vulnerable. Pregnancy, labor, recovery from surgery, and sedation all limit your ability to question what's happening.
- Authority discourages questions. Patients are taught to trust their doctor, and many worry they'll be dismissed if they complain.
- Some patients face extra barriers. Lawsuits have alleged abuse of patients who didn't speak English and of women in prison, two groups with fewer ways to report.
None of that is your fault. Doubt, delay, and silence are common responses to abuse by someone in a position of trust.
What OB-GYN Sexual Abuse Cases Has File Abuse Lawsuit Covered?
File Abuse Lawsuit has covered five OB-GYN and gynecologist abuse cases in depth. They share a pattern: allegations of medically unnecessary exams, and claims that the institutions around the doctor knew about complaints and didn't stop him. The allegations in the civil cases below are claims made by the plaintiffs and haven't been proven in court unless noted.
Dr. Barry Brock and Cedars-Sinai (Los Angeles, California)
Dr. Barry Brock is a former OB-GYN at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Beginning in October 2024, former patients filed lawsuits in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging sexual abuse during years of care, including unnecessary pelvic and breast exams. The suits also allege that Cedars-Sinai and affiliated practices ignored complaints about him.
By early 2025, at least 176 women had sued, according to the Los Angeles Times. Brock surrendered his California medical license rather than contest an accusation from the Medical Board of California, which bars him from practicing in the state. He denies the allegations, and his attorney said the surrender was not an admission. By July 2026, hundreds of women were pursuing claims, and a California appeals court had paused an order requiring survivors to turn over medical records to Cedars-Sinai while it reviews the dispute.
Read our full guide to the Dr. Barry Brock sexual abuse lawsuits.
Dr. Mark Mulholland and Kadlec (Richland, Washington)
Dr. Mark Mulholland is a former OB-GYN at Kadlec in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. As of June 2026, attorneys represented nearly 120 women and had filed nearly 40 lawsuits against Kadlec Regional Medical Center and its parent company, Providence, in King County Superior Court, FOX 13 Seattle reported.
The women allege decades of sexual abuse during appointments, and that Kadlec and Providence ignored complaints from patients, nurses, and physicians dating back to 2001. Attorneys also allege that patients who didn't speak English were discouraged from using interpreters. The Washington Medical Commission has restricted Mulholland from seeing female patients since September 2025. Kadlec says he no longer works there.
Read our full guide to the Dr. Mark Mulholland sexual abuse lawsuits.
Dr. Fabio Ortega, NorthShore, and Swedish Covenant (Chicago area, Illinois)
Dr. Fabio Ortega is a former gynecologist who worked for NorthShore University HealthSystem, NorthShore Medical Group, and Swedish Covenant Hospital. In October 2021, he pleaded guilty to two counts of felony criminal sexual abuse involving patients during exams and was sentenced to three years in prison. His medical license was permanently revoked on December 14, 2021.
The criminal case didn't end the civil claims. In March 2024, a lawsuit alleged that Ortega sexually abused more than 300 patients and named Endeavor Health, which acquired the hospitals, as a defendant, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
Read our full guide to the Dr. Fabio Ortega and NorthShore sexual assault lawsuits.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar and Poplar Avenue Clinic (Memphis, Tennessee)
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar is a Memphis gynecologist who operated Poplar Avenue Clinic. When federal prosecutors announced his indictment in February 2025, they alleged he "sexually abused women by conducting medically unnecessary gynecologic procedures," reused single-use devices on patients, and billed Medicare and Medicaid as though the procedures were necessary.
The court later dismissed the four counts accusing Kumar of enticing women to travel for illegal sexual activity. In January 2026, a jury convicted him on 40 of 46 remaining counts, including adulteration and misbranding of medical devices and health care fraud, and he was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. His attorney said they plan to appeal. Patients who believe they were harmed by unnecessary or improper procedures may still have civil claims, which are decided separately from the criminal case.
Read our full guide to the Dr. Sanjeev Kumar abuse lawsuits.
Dr. Scott Lee and the California Institution for Women
Dr. Scott Lee was the sole gynecologist on staff at the California Institution for Women from 2016 to 2023. In February 2025, incarcerated women and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners filed a federal class action in the Central District of California against Lee and California prison health officials, Prison Legal News reported.
The complaint alleges abusive pelvic exams, Pap smears, and biopsies, sexualized digital penetration, and retaliation against women who complained. As of July 2026, the case remained pending, and no class had been certified. Claims against a state prison system involve their own procedural rules, which we cover in our guide to jail and prison sexual assault lawsuits.
Read our full guide to the Dr. Scott Lee sexual abuse lawsuit.
What Have the Largest OB-GYN Abuse Cases Shown?
The three largest OB-GYN abuse cases in the country show two things: abuse by a single doctor can continue for decades, and institutions that fail to act can face enormous liability. Columbia, USC, and UCLA have together paid well over $2 billion to resolve claims involving three gynecologists.
Dr. Robert Hadden and Columbia University (New York)
Robert Hadden practiced at Columbia University Medical Center for roughly 25 years. Federal prosecutors said that "under the guise of medical treatment," he sexually abused at least dozens of patients from about 1987 to 2012. A federal jury convicted him in January 2023 of enticing victims to travel to his office for illegal sexual activity, and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on July 25, 2023.
In May 2025, Columbia agreed to a $750 million settlement with 576 former patients. Columbia says it has now settled more than 1,000 claims, with payouts totaling more than $1 billion.
Dr. George Tyndall and the University of Southern California
George Tyndall worked at USC's student health center for nearly three decades. USC paid more than $1 billion to resolve claims from his former patients: an $852 million settlement with more than 700 women announced in 2021, and a $215 million class action settlement covering about 18,000 former patients. Tyndall was charged with sexual crimes involving 16 patients but died in October 2023 before his criminal trial. He always denied wrongdoing.
His death didn't erase what USC had already paid. The university's liability came from its own conduct, not just his.
Dr. James Heaps and UCLA
James Heaps was a UCLA gynecologist. UCLA paid nearly $700 million across three settlements: $73 million in a 2021 class action covering about 5,500 women, $243 million to about 200 women in February 2022, and $374.4 million to 312 plaintiffs in May 2022. A jury convicted Heaps of five sex-related counts involving two patients, and he was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2023.
Can You Sue the Hospital, Clinic, or Medical Group?
Often, yes. A hospital, clinic, university, or medical group can be held responsible for its own failures, such as keeping a doctor on staff after complaints or failing to enforce chaperone policies. In most of the cases above, the largest recoveries came from institutions, not from the doctors themselves.
Institutional claims usually turn on what the organization knew and what it did about it. Depending on the facts and your state's law, a claim may be based on:
- Negligent hiring or credentialing: granting privileges without checking a doctor's history
- Negligent supervision: failing to require chaperones or monitor a doctor who had been the subject of complaints
- Negligent retention: keeping a doctor on staff after learning about misconduct
- Failure to investigate or report: ignoring patient, nurse, or physician complaints
- Concealment: hiding complaints, settlements, or evidence, which can also affect filing deadlines in some states
Whether an employer can also be held responsible for the doctor's acts themselves varies by state. Our guide to hospital and provider sexual abuse lawsuits explains these theories in more detail, and our healthcare provider sexual abuse lawyer page covers abuse by other types of medical professionals.
Do You Need a Criminal Conviction to File a Civil Lawsuit?
No. A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal case, and you can file one even if the doctor was never charged. New York's law on civil claims for certain sexual offenses says so directly: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a criminal charge be brought" (CPLR 213-c).
The cases above show how independent the two systems are. Dr. Brock has not been criminally charged, yet hundreds of women are pursuing civil claims. Dr. Ortega pleaded guilty, and patients still filed civil suits afterward. Dr. Tyndall died before trial, and USC had already paid more than $1 billion.
Civil cases also use a different standard of proof. A criminal case requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while a civil case generally asks whether your claims are more likely true than not. Read more about civil vs. criminal sexual assault cases.
How Long Do You Have to File an OB-GYN Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
It depends on the state where the abuse happened, how old you were at the time, and who you're suing. Some deadlines are long or have been extended by revival laws, while others, especially claims against government facilities, can be short. Because the rules differ so much, the safest step is to have a lawyer check your deadline now.
Here are a few examples of how the law treats these claims:
| Jurisdiction | Rule | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| California | Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16 | Adult sexual assault claims generally must be filed within 10 years of the last act, or within 3 years of discovering the injury, whichever is later |
| California | AB 250 Revival Window | Certain adult sexual assault claims that had expired may be filed from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. Claims against private entities require an allegation of a cover-up, and public entities are excluded |
| New York | CPLR 213-c | Civil claims based on certain listed sexual offenses, including first-degree rape, may be brought within 20 years, against the abuser or anyone whose negligence led to the conduct |
| Federal Facilities | 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b) | Claims against the United States, such as abuse at a federal hospital or prison, must first be presented in writing to the federal agency within two years |
A few other rules can change your deadline:
- Childhood abuse rules. If you were a minor, many states give you much longer to file.
- Medical malpractice rules. Some claims may be treated as malpractice, which can carry shorter deadlines and pre-suit requirements.
- Government notice rules. Claims against public hospitals, state prisons, or county facilities often require a formal notice within months.
- Discovery and concealment. Some deadlines start when you discovered the injury, or are extended when an institution hid what it knew.
For state-specific deadlines, see our guides for California, New York, Washington, and Tennessee, our explainer on the California AB 250 revival window, and our overview of statutes of limitations for sexual abuse cases.
What Evidence Helps Prove an OB-GYN Sexual Abuse Claim?
Your own account is evidence, and many strong cases start with nothing more. From there, a lawyer can gather records that show what happened during your appointments and what the institution knew.
Evidence that often matters in OB-GYN cases includes:
- Your medical records, including exam notes, procedure records, and whether a chaperone was documented
- Billing records, which can show exams or procedures that weren't medically necessary
- Appointment history, showing how often you were seen and by whom
- Messages, journal entries, or conversations where you described what happened at the time
- Complaints to the hospital, clinic, or medical board, by you or by other patients and staff
- Medical board and court records, including license actions and criminal case files
- Mental health records that document the impact on your life
Write down what you remember now, even if it's incomplete, and request a copy of your records. Our guide to evidence in sexual assault civil lawsuits covers this in more detail.
What Compensation Can OB-GYN Abuse Survivors Recover?
Survivors may recover compensation for the financial costs of the abuse and for its emotional and physical impact. In some states, punitive damages may also be available when a defendant's conduct was especially reckless or intentional.
Depending on the case, compensation may cover:
- Therapy, counseling, and other medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced ability to work
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life, including avoiding needed medical care
- Punitive damages, where state law allows them
Every case is different, and no one can promise a specific result. Learn more about the types of compensation available in sexual abuse cases.
What Should You Do If You Think Your OB-GYN Abused You?
Start by taking care of yourself, then protect your options. You don't have to decide right away whether to report or file a lawsuit.
- Get care from a different provider. If you need ongoing treatment, find another doctor, and ask for a chaperone if that helps you feel safe.
- Write down what happened. Include dates, what was said and done, and anyone who was present.
- Request your medical records. You have a right to them, and they may later show what was documented and what wasn't.
- Consider reporting. You can file a complaint with your state medical board, and you can report to police if you choose. Reporting isn't required to file a civil claim. See how to report a doctor's sexual abuse.
- Talk to a lawyer before a deadline passes. A confidential consultation doesn't commit you to anything.
For more, read what to do if you were sexually abused by a doctor and the rights of medical abuse survivors.
Can You Keep Your Identity Private in an OB-GYN Abuse Lawsuit?
Often, yes. Many survivors file as "Jane Doe," which keeps their name out of public court records, though courts decide whether to allow it and the rules vary. Many of the plaintiffs in the Brock and Ortega lawsuits filed this way.
Your lawyer can also ask the court for protective orders limiting who sees your medical records and personal information. Read more about keeping your identity private in a sexual abuse lawsuit.
How Can Dolman Law Group Help OB-GYN Abuse Survivors?
Dolman Law Group, the firm that publishes File Abuse Lawsuit, represents survivors of sexual abuse nationwide, including survivors of abuse by doctors and the institutions that employed them. The firm has represented more than 5,000 sexual abuse clients and recovered more than $700 million for clients since its founding in 2009.
When you contact us, our attorneys can:
- Review what happened and whether a filing deadline applies to you
- Investigate what the hospital, clinic, or medical group knew
- Identify every party that may be responsible
- Protect your privacy throughout the case
- Handle the case from investigation through settlement or trial
The firm is led by founder and managing partner Matthew A. Dolman, a civil trial attorney with more than 22 years of experience who has led more than 1,000 lawsuits. The practice uses a trauma-informed approach designed to reduce re-traumatization during depositions and discovery.
Talk to an OB-GYN sexual abuse lawyer today. Call 833-552-7274 or request a free, confidential case review. Dolman Law Group works on a contingency fee: you never pay unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About OB-GYN Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Can I sue my OB-GYN for sexual abuse?
Yes. If an OB-GYN touched you sexually, performed an exam without a medical reason or your consent, or made sexual comments during your care, you may have a civil claim against the doctor. You may also have a claim against the hospital, clinic, or medical group that employed them.
Is it abuse if I'm not sure the exam was wrong?
It may be. Many survivors don't realize an exam was improper until they learn more or hear from other patients. Signs include a missing explanation, no chaperone, no gloves, touching that went beyond the exam, or sexual comments. A lawyer can help you understand whether what happened may support a claim.
Can I sue for sexual abuse during labor, delivery, or a prenatal visit?
Yes. Abuse during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or postpartum care can support a claim just like abuse during a routine exam. These are often moments when patients are most vulnerable and least able to question what's happening.
What if I was sedated and don't remember the exam?
You may still have a claim. Medical records, procedure notes, consent forms, and reports from other patients can help show what happened while you were under. Hospitals are expected to get written consent before teaching exams on patients under anesthesia, according to federal guidance issued in April 2024.
Do I have to report the doctor to police before filing a lawsuit?
No. A civil lawsuit doesn't require a police report, criminal charges, or a conviction. You can choose to report to police, the state medical board, or both, and a lawyer can explain how each step may affect your case.
Should I report my OB-GYN to the state medical board?
You can, and it may help protect other patients. Medical boards can investigate, restrict, or revoke a doctor's license, but a board complaint doesn't result in compensation for you. The Federation of State Medical Boards keeps a directory of every state board's complaint process.
Can I still sue if the doctor lost his license, went to prison, or died?
Often, yes. Claims against the hospital, clinic, or medical group don't depend on the doctor's current status. USC paid more than $1 billion to former patients of Dr. George Tyndall, who died before his criminal trial.
Can I sue if the abuse happened years or decades ago?
Possibly. Some states give survivors many years to file, and some have revival windows that reopen expired claims, like California's AB 250 window open through December 31, 2027 for certain adult claims. Deadlines depend on your state and the facts, so have your situation reviewed as soon as you can.
What if I was abused by a gynecologist in prison or at a government facility?
You may have a claim, but special rules apply. Claims against state or county facilities often require formal notice within a short time, and claims against federal facilities must first be presented to the federal agency within two years under 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b).
Can other patients of the same doctor join together?
Yes. Many OB-GYN abuse cases involve dozens or hundreds of former patients filing separate or combined lawsuits against the same doctor and institution. Reports from other patients may also help each claim by showing a pattern the institution should have recognized.
How much is an OB-GYN sexual abuse case worth?
It depends on the facts, including the harm you suffered, what the institution knew, and your state's law. Some institutions have paid very large settlements, but past results don't predict the outcome of any individual case. A lawyer can explain the factors that may affect your claim.
Will I have to testify in court?
Not necessarily. Many civil cases resolve without a trial, though you may need to answer questions under oath in a deposition. Your lawyer can prepare you and ask the court to protect your privacy along the way.
How much does it cost to hire Dolman Law Group for an OB-GYN abuse case?
Dolman Law Group handles OB-GYN abuse cases on a contingency fee. You never pay unless we win your case. Call 833-552-7274 for a free, confidential case review.