Healthcare providers are some of our most trusted professionals. When a healthcare worker sexually assaults or abuses a patient, the impact can be devastating. Sexual assault in this context can occur when a provider engages in unwanted touching which is unrelated to diagnosis or treatment, or makes sexualized comments made during an otherwise appropriate physical exam. One example is the recent report by the HeraldNet. Six patients of Snohomish chiropractor Dr. Kenneth E. Parker alleged he touched them inappropriately. One woman reported in the article that Dr. Parker said that he was using a technique to treat her spine, although Dr. Parker reportedly moved on to touching her breasts.

If you think you have experienced sexual abuse by a medical professional, you should report it. An incident can lead to both criminal prosecution, loss of the provider's license, and a viable civil lawsuit. Pursuing one option does not necessarily mean not pursuing the others. Criminal cases differ from a civil lawsuit in that they are investigated by the police and handled by the State, usually a prosecutor. Criminal cases may result in the perpetrator being imprisoned or otherwise punished. The main focus of a criminal prosecution is holding the offender accountable and protecting the public, not compensating the victim for their injuries.

In some situations, the State may not pursue prosecution, even when the victim wants to press charges. A case may lack enough evidence or may have occurred too long ago to overcome the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A civil case has different considerations and time requirements. Even when criminal charges aren’t filed, a civil case may still be viable and may be a victim's best hope to get justice for what happened to them.

SGB has experienced, compassionate, and trauma informed sex assault attorneys who can discuss your options with you.

We are here to fight for your rights. Contact us for a free, confidential case review or call us at (800) 809-2234.