If your doctor has displayed inappropriate behavior, you may be feeling scared, angry, or alone. While the first two feelings will take time to work through, please know you are not alone. The attorneys at Hurley McKenna & Mertz are crusaders in this field, pledging to fight for the justice of those affected by medical negligence—especially as it pertains to sexual abuse. 

First, know that making a formal complaint with a medical board likely will not result in any disciplinary action against the doctor. In most states, a physician’s license isn’t in jeopardy because you make a formal complaint. They will continue practicing, and in some cases, without any discipline at all. 

For this reason, your best course of action to obtain any form of justice is to consult with an attorney to determine if you have a medical malpractice case. 

As you read on, it’s important to understand that not every type of inappropriate behavior displayed by an individual in the healthcare system is categorized as malpractice. However, an attorney can help make that determination and advise on your next steps. 

Is Physician Sexual Abuse Also Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence occurs when a hospital, nursing home, “surgicenter” or other health care facility violates its independent duty to supervise and ensure that care is safely provided in its facility, resulting in injury to a patient. 

There are different types of negligence, which include: negligent supervision, failure to institute adequate policies and procedures, failure to provide an effective “chain of command,” and negligent credentialing.

Hurley McKenna & Mertz is the leading expert in an Illinois case brought forth by the victims of Dr. Vernon Cannon, an obstetrician-gynecologist who was the subject of multiple patient complaints for practicing while intoxicated. If you’ve had an encounter with Dr. Cannon, click here to learn whether you have a claim against DuPage Medical Group, also known as Duly Health & Care.

If you’re wondering whether the behaviors you were subjected to qualify as sexual abuse, click here.

Reporting Physician Sexual Abuse and Medical Negligence

If you are a victim of medical negligence, you can certainly notify the facility of the behavior you witnessed. Each year, thousands of doctors face these allegations. Many medical facilities have unique policies in place to respond to these claims. However, they should assure you the following: 

• You no longer have to have contact with that individual, and/or the inappropriate behavior will end immediately.
• The accused will be placed under investigation (possibly internally), therefore, they are not given a chance to harm anyone else.

Additionally, the institution should ensure you, the patient, feel safe and are given the proper resources needed to deal with trauma. Furthermore, to file a complaint in the state of Illinois, we’ve compiled a step-by-step how-to guide.

A Better Way to Handle Medical Negligence

The best way to determine your ideal course of action is to contact an attorney who specializes in medical negligence. A qualified professional will be able to review the facts of your complaint and put it into perspective, following the law. From there, the attorney will determine whether you have a case.

The best medical negligence attorney will have a network of experts who can speak to the healthcare field, offering their knowledge to the Courts, helping both the judge and the jury better understand the circumstances.

At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, our results favor the victims, providing closure on a difficult time. For legal advice about a medical negligence case please contact the experienced attorneys at Hurley McKenna & Mertz.

If you or your loved one was a victim of Dr. Vernon Cannon, here are three important things you need to know about the DuPage Medical Group Lawsuit.