From the time women are teens, it is recommended they see a gynecologist for an annual examination. These yearly check-ups are important to ensure no serious health problems, such as breast, cervical and ovarian cancer, are developing. While these gynecological visits usually only take a few minutes, they do involve allowing a physician to touch the most intimate parts of a woman’s body.
Similarly, during pregnancy, women attend routine medical appointments, (usually several times a month) that involve a physician or other healthcare provider touching and examining her vagina and cervix. The process of delivering a child exposes a woman’s vagina to a room full of physicians, nurses, and midwives.
When Does a Medical Exam Cross the Line Into Sexual Assault?
These visits are medically necessary, and should never be skipped. However, what happens when what should be a standard medical examination or procedure feels uncomfortable? What happens when a physician does a procedure without the consent of the patient? What happens when a physician touches a woman in a way that makes her uncomfortable?
There is an intersection between medical malpractice and sexual assault that is largely ignored in our community. For example, a former Grand Rapids gymnastics coach was sentenced to 50 years after it was revealed that he sexually exploited young gymnasts under the guise that the abuse was part of their therapy and training.
How is a young woman to know the difference? If a doctor manually removes a clot from a pregnant woman rather than doing the process surgically, how does she know she has a choice? What if a male physician does more than just a bi-manual exam with his fingers during an annual visit?
How a Medical Malpractice and Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help
The answer is for women to trust their instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Stop seeing the physician and visit an attorney with experience in medical malpractice and sexual assault cases. At Anapol Weiss, we have a team of experienced female attorneys who know how to investigate these cases from both the sexual assault and medical malpractice angles. It is imperative that you find an attorney you are comfortable sharing your story with, and who truly understands what you went through.
After an initial consultation, our attorneys will decide what records to order, what documentation we need to collect, and who to report the conduct to outside of the civil court system. If the facts warrant it, a complaint will be filed on your behalf and the experienced attorneys at Anapol Weiss will litigate the case to get you justice. Most importantly, our firm is committed to real social change and stopping the assault on women that happens in the medical community. Give us a call at 215-608-9645 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
