Getty
The lawsuit, filed last Friday, alleges that Dr. Derrick Todd, a former rheumatologist atBrigham and Women’s Hospitalconducted pelvic, breast, and rectal exams solely for his sexual gratification under the pretense of delivering care to his patients. The patients involved in the lawsuit assert that this conduct constitutessexual assault.
The lawsuit alleges that Todd “breached his duty of care when he performed inappropriate bodily examinations, practiced gynecological medicine in an unauthorized manner, and sexually assaulted patients under the auspices of providing medical care.”
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE,Andrew Meyer,the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said more than 120 women have joined the lawsuit.
“All of their statements are rather incriminating regarding Dr. Todd’s conduct,” Meyer alleges to PEOPLE. “They have all repeated and alleged the same inappropriate conduct and excessive examinations.”
Meyer, who filed the suit in Suffolk Superior Court, claims that because Todd was a rheumatologist, his exams “should not have involved breast examinations and should not involve vaginal examinations.”
Meyer says that for any vaginal or breast examination, it’s mandatory to have a nurse or chaperone present.
The statement also says that in September, Todd willingly entered into an agreement to halt his medical practice, underlining that this decision did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
“We deeply regret the harm Dr. Todd’s actions has caused our patients and their families,” Charles Morris, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital told PEOPLE in a statement. “We take our duty to care for our patients and keep them safe extremely seriously. We have, and always will, act decisively on any allegations of misconduct, as we did in this case.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital is named as a co-defendant in all three lawsuits, alongside Charles River Medical Associates where Todd was also employed.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Charles River Medical Associates stated they had not received any complaints about Todd’s inappropriate conduct from patients, staff, or other physicians throughout his tenure, including his last day on July 26th.
PEOPLE was unable to reach Todd’s attorney, Ingrid Martin.
The Boston Police Department, Suffolk County District Attorney, and the Board of Registration in Medicine is currently investigating the allegations, but no criminal charges have been filed against Todd.
The police, the district attorney’s office and the board have not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
