In a recent lawsuit, Illinois’ largest independent multispecialty physician group was accused of negligence that lead to the sexual abuse of a patient. DuPage Medical Group’s own records state that one of its obstetrician-gynecologists, Dr. Vernon Cannon, was the subject of multiple patient complaints for practicing while intoxicated.
However, DuPage neglected to intervene and/or discipline Dr. Cannon over an 18-month period. As a result, Cannon allegedly sexually abused a patient while she was undergoing an outpatient gynecological appointment.
The patient, known to the courts as Jane Doe, alleges that Dr. Cannon initiated unconsented and unwelcomed physical contact during the medical diagnostic procedure.
Does this experience sound like something that happened to you? If so, you may have a claim against DuPage Medical Group, also known as Duly Health & Care.
How to Know if Your Doctor Sexually Abused You
Often, a patient who is a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted physician is unsure whether what happened to them was inappropriate.
This is normal. It’s incredibly traumatizing for someone in a position of authority to wield that power for such a horrible crime. The shocking nature of the situation can leave victims wondering whether they imagined it or whether it was really that serious.
Here are a few ways to know if your experience at DuPage Medical Group—or in any medical setting—was inappropriate or potentially sexual abuse:
- A doctor or employee made unwanted physical contact.
- A doctor performed a procedure you didn’t agree upon.
- A doctor or employee made you feel uncomfortable in any way.
- Something happening to you that just didn’t seem right, even if a doctor or employee reassured you that it was okay.
If any of these sound familiar to you, especially if you were a patient of Dr. Cannon at DuPage Medical Group, your experience could warrant legal action.
An Attorney Can Tell You Whether You Have a Claim
There’s a vitally important fact to understand about being sexually abused, especially in a medical setting: It is not your fault in any way.
Your doctor has an obligation to “do no harm,” and is responsible to act in accordance with the law and medical best practices. Patients everywhere have a right to a certain standard of care, and both your doctor and the medical group with which they practice are responsible for ensuring you receive it.
The only way to know for sure whether your experience is legal grounds for filing a lawsuit against DuPage Medical Group is to speak with an experienced attorney.
That’s because the best attorneys have expert knowledge, years of experience representing thousands of clients in a similar position, and deep networks of medical specialists who can speak to your trauma in court.
The legal team at Hurley McKenna & Mertz values client confidentiality above all else and understands the extremely sensitive nature of your situation.
We know that engaging in conversation about your experience can be deeply troubling, and it may bring to light conflicting feelings, such as whether moving forward with a lawsuit means you’re against the medical profession. That’s not true at all—rather, it means that you acknowledge what happened to you was illegal, morally reprehensible, and left you with physical, emotional, and/or mental injuries for which you deserve to seek justice.
At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, we’ve represented sexual abuse victims in serious litigation with the Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Diocese, and the Mormon Church. We understand the nature of these crimes and the impact they had on you.
If you want to know whether your experience warrants filing a claim, just reach out. Your consultation is free and confidential.
