Your privacy, safety, and emotional well-being should come first. Consider seeking support from a trusted therapist, counselor, medical professional, or victim advocate who understands sexual trauma. Preserve anything that may help document your treatment and experience, including:

• Medical and billing records
• Appointment dates and locations
• Patient portal messages
• Emails, text messages, or photographs
• Prescription and pharmacy records
• Names of nurses, technicians, chaperones, or other witnesses
• Notes describing what occurred and how it affected you

You do not need to decide immediately whether to file a lawsuit. A confidential conversation with an attorney can help you understand whether the conduct may have constituted abuse, what evidence may be available, and what legal options you may have.

The options available to a former patient depend on several factors, including what happened, when and where the treatment occurred, the patient’s age at the time, which medical institution was involved, and whether the patient previously resolved or released a claim. 

Paduch’s federal criminal prosecution was separate from any action a survivor may take. The criminal case focused on holding Paduch accountable for his crimes, while other legal acenues may focus on the harm a survivor experienced and whether an institution or another party bears responsibility. 

A case review may examine whether a hospital, medical practice, employer, supervisor, or other party:

• Knew or should have known about inappropriate conduct
• Received complaints but failed to respond appropriately
• Failed to supervise or monitor Paduch
• Allowed him to continue treating vulnerable patients
• Failed to enforce appropriate examination or chaperone policies
• Failed to warn patients or another medical institution

The existence of previous cases or settlements does not automatically determine whether another former patient has legal options. An attorney can review the individual circumstances and explain what avenues, if any, may remain available.

Many survivors do not immediately recognize medical sexual abuse. Paduch reportedly presented abusive conduct as legitimate medical care, and patients may have believed that an uncomfortable or invasive procedure was medically necessary.

Other survivors may have recognized that something was wrong but needed years to feel safe discussing it. Delayed recognition and delayed disclosure do not make the experience any less valid.

Legal deadlines depend on several factors, including the survivor’s age, when the abuse occurred, the type of claim being filed, and the laws that apply. New York law may provide different deadlines for abuse that occurred during childhood and abuse experienced as an adult.

Do not assume that too much time has passed. An attorney can examine the circumstances and determine whether a civil claim may still be available.

No financial recovery can erase sexual abuse, but an available legal claim may provide resources for healing while holding responsible parties accountable. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:

• Counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care
• Medical treatment related to the abuse
• Future mental health and medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Relationship and intimacy difficulties
• Other long-term effects of the abuse

The types of compensation or relief available depend on the facts of the case, the responsible parties, applicable laws, filing deadlines, and whether the survivor previously resolved a claim.

Cases involving sexual abuse by a medical professional require compassion, confidentiality, and the resources to investigate powerful healthcare institutions. Survivors deserve to be believed, respected, and given control over how their stories are handled.

Morgan & Morgan is America’s Largest Injury Law Firm, with more than 1,100 attorneys, over 35 years of experience, and more than $35 billion recovered for clients. Our firm has the resources to review medical records, investigate prior complaints, consult qualified experts, examine hospital policies, and pursue claims against individuals and institutions that may be responsible.

If Darius Paduch treated you and you believe you experienced sexual abuse or medically inappropriate conduct, Morgan & Morgan can confidentially review what happened and explain your potential legal options. You can move forward at your own pace.

Morgan & Morgan works on a contingency fee basis, meaning the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win your case. You can begin with a free, confidential case evaluation.