Johns Hopkins Pays $190 Million Settlement To Victims Of Pelvic Exam Recording
Johns Hopkins University has agreed to pay $190 million to more than 7,000 women who were secretly recorded by their doctor during pelvic exams.
Experts believe this is one of the largest medical malpractice cases of its kind in history.
The physician in question, Dr. Nikita A. Levy, was fired from Johns Hopkins Community Medicine in Baltimore in February 2013. He practiced at a community clinic in East Baltimore run by the renowned hospital system. A female colleague reported suspicions that the gynecologist and obstetrician was using a penlike camera device. Dr. Levy committed suicide just ten days later.
While investigators found more than 1,000 videos and images on Dr. Levy’s home computers, no criminal charges were filed in the case, as investigators concluded that he had not shared them.
However, a class-action lawsuit was brought against the hospital, accusing Dr. Levy of “harmful and offensive sexual” contact with his patients. A lawyer for the plaintiffs said they were extremely upset to learn of the filming.
$190 million medical malpractice settlement
The civil lawsuit filed by patients accused the hospital of invasion of privacy, emotional distress and negligence in managing Dr. Levy.
Johns Hopkins released a statement saying it hoped the settlement and the findings by law enforcement that the images were not shared, “helps those affected achieve a measure of closure.”
“We assure you that one individual does not define Johns Hopkins,” says the statement. “Johns Hopkins is defined by the tens of thousands of employees who come to work determined to provide world-class care for our patients and their families.”
In the initial stages of the investigation, nearly 12,700 patients were identified that may have been under the care of Dr. Levy during his 25 years with the hospital. Investigators believe he used a pen or a key fob to begin recording patients around 2005.
After he was reported, hospital security offers approached him in his office, where he surrendered a number of recording devices. At the time, a hospital statement noted he was escorted off the premises and advised to seek counseling. Consequently, the hospital notified the Baltimore police of the situation and he was fired on February 8, 2013.
While law enforcement investigations concluded Dr. Levy had not posted the images online or shared them, others are not so sure. There is no real way to know whether or not anyone else has viewed the victims’ private, personal images.
Speak with New York medical malpractice lawyers
If you or a loved one has been the victim of malpractice, it’s important to know your rights. You rely on medical professionals to care for you ─ not violate your privacy. While nothing can take the pain away when your trust has been compromised by your physician, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. It’s important to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney here in NYC to discuss your case.
Our team of New York medical malpractice lawyers have more than four decades of combined experience working with clients in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island to ensure their rights are represented. Contact The Sanders Firm today for a complimentary evaluation of your case. Call toll free at 1-800-FAIR-PLAY (1-800-324-7752). Resources
- The New York Times, Hospital Agrees to Pay $190 Million Over Recording of Pelvic Exams http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/us/johns-hopkins-settlement-190-million.html?_r=1
- New York Daily News, Johns Hopkins to Pay $190 million for OB-GYN Who Secretly Recorded Women in Examining Room: Lawyers http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pelvic-exam-pics-cost-johns-hopkins-190m-lawyers-article-1.1874623#ixzz38mQZ4WIJ
