When you visit a doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic, you expect to receive professional, respectful care. You trust that your healthcare provider will uphold the highest ethical standards. Some doctors violate that trust by engaging in sexual abuse or misconduct. If you were abused, a Las Vegas doctor sexual abuse lawyer can help.
At Arias Sanguinetti, we stand by survivors. Our team has over 300 years of combined experience representing survivors of sexual misconduct and has recovered over $1.5 billion for clients nationwide. If you are ready to explore your legal options, reach out today for a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable Las Vegas sexual abuse lawyer.
What is Considered Sexual Abuse by a Doctor?
Sexual abuse by a medical provider involves any form of sexual behavior or contact that occurs without clear, informed consent. These acts are especially damaging due to the inherent imbalance of power between a patient and a medical professional. When a doctor exploits this dynamic, it’s both an ethical violation and a legal one.
This type of sexual abuse can take many forms and may happen in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Urgent care centers
- Private practices
- Home healthcare visits
- Cosmetic surgery clinics
- Telemedicine sessions
One of the most disturbing aspects of doctor sexual abuse is how often it is masked as routine medical care, leaving survivors confused about what actually happened. Some patients may not even realize that what they experienced was abuse until days, weeks, or even years later.
Examples of doctor sexual misconduct include:
- Inappropriate touching during legitimate procedures
- Performing unnecessary or intrusive exams under false pretenses
- Taking photos or videos of intimate areas without explicit permission
- Pressuring patients into physical contact or relationships
- Making sexually suggestive comments or jokes during appointments
- Initiating sexual acts during medical care, even if the interaction felt consensual in the moment
Even if a patient appears to consent, the power dynamics in a doctor-patient relationship often invalidate that consent under Nevada law. Medical professionals have a duty to maintain strict professional boundaries, and breaching those boundaries opens the door to civil and potentially criminal liability.
If you have questions about whether your experience with a medical professional is considered abuse, an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can help you identify whether the doctor behaved inappropriately and what your options are for taking legal action.
Deadlines for Filing a Lawsuit in Nevada
Nevada enforces a strict time limit for filing sexual abuse lawsuits. Generally, the state’s personal injury statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the abuse or from the date of discovering the abuse to file a civil lawsuit.
However, there are important exceptions that can limit the amount of time you have to take legal action. These exceptions may involve:
- Minors: If the abuse occurred when you were under 18, the clock may not start ticking until you reach adulthood.
- Delayed discovery: If you did not realize the encounter was abuse until later, you may have extra time to file.
- Medical malpractice overlap: If the abuse also qualifies as medical malpractice, a separate timeline may apply.
- Government-run facilities: If the abuse occurred in a public hospital or was committed by a state-employed doctor, special procedures and shorter deadlines to file a government claim of as little as six months may apply.
Because every situation is different, it’s critical to speak with a sexual abuse attorney serving Las Vegas as soon as you can to preserve your right to take legal action.
Las Vegas Doctor Sexual Assault Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Medical Sexual Abuse Case?
In many situations, the individual doctor is not the only party who may be held legally accountable. Medical facilities, hospitals, clinics, and even healthcare networks can share responsibility, particularly if they failed to investigate prior complaints or ignored red flags about a provider’s behavior.
Some of the parties most commonly held responsible in doctor sexual abuse cases in Las Vegas include:
- The offending doctor or healthcare provider
- Supervisors who failed to act on patient complaints
- Hospitals or clinics that employed the doctor
- Medical practices that lacked proper oversight
- Licensing boards that neglected to discipline the healthcare provider
Under Nevada law, doctors and medical staff are mandatory reporters. Failing to report suspected abuse can create liability for institutions that ignore or conceal allegations.
An experienced Las Vegas sexual abuse attorney can conduct a thorough investigation into your case. This may involve reviewing internal documentation, employment records, prior patient reports, or other evidence of systemic negligence.
Our investigation also examines whether the medical facility followed proper hiring, supervision, and reporting procedures. These internal failures can signal a broader pattern of negligence that exposes other patients to risk.
When institutional negligence is uncovered, it will both strengthen your case and shine a light on broader problems that may be putting others at risk.
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Compensation a Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorney in Las Vegas Can Help You Recover
Survivors of sexual abuse by a doctor have the legal right to seek financial compensation for the wide-ranging harms they have suffered. Recovering fair compensation for your losses can help you heal physically, emotionally, and financially.
Some of the damages that may be available include:
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress, mental anguish, depression, PTSD, and anxiety
- Medical expenses for treatment resulting from the abuse
- Therapy or counseling costs
- Lost wages, if the trauma affected your ability to work
- Punitive damages to punish egregious misconduct and prevent future abuse
At Arias Sanguinetti, we work with mental health experts, medical professionals, and financial analysts to build a complete picture of how the abuse has affected your life. This ensures that the compensation we pursue reflects the true scope of your suffering.
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Why Many Survivors Stay Silent
If you haven’t reported the abuse or are hesitant to come forward, you are not alone. Many survivors of doctor sexual abuse struggle with fear, shame, or uncertainty. The personal nature of the trauma, combined with the perceived authority of a medical professional, can make it incredibly difficult to speak up.
Common reasons survivors stay silent include:
- Fear of not being believed
- Shame or guilt about the incident
- Confusion about whether what they experienced qualified as abuse
- Lack of witnesses, since medical appointments are typically private
- Fear of retaliation or loss of access to needed medical care
- Past experiences of being ignored or dismissed by institutions
Unfortunately, silence can allow abusive doctors to continue harming others. That’s why it’s so important to reach out to a doctor sexual abuse lawyer in Las Vegas who will listen without judgment, explain your rights, and help you move forward at your own pace.
Talk to a Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawyer Serving Las Vegas Today
At Arias Sanguinetti, we are committed to empowering survivors of medical sexual abuse with supportive legal representation. With over 40 years of serving the community and a history of success in sexual abuse litigation, our team is prepared to fight for you.
You don’t have to face the legal process alone. Call us today or fill out our secure online form to schedule a confidential and free consultation with a Las Vegas sexual abuse attorney. When you’re ready, we’ll help you take the first step toward healing and justice.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
