We have been independently ranked among the top medical negligence solicitors in England and Wales*. For a free and confidential consultation about sexual abuse in a medical setting, call us on 0333 888 0412 or send an email to info@medicalaccidentlawyers.co.uk and we will respond to you immediately.
Kiera Shoemake, a member of our medical negligence team, looks at making a legal claim for sexual abuse by a doctor.
Medical practitioners conduct physical examinations as part of their day-to-day practice. They owe a duty of care to their patients and if the examination is intimate, then they may offer the patient the option to have a chaperone present. However, despite all the safeguards a small minority of patients suffer sexual abuse by a doctor during an intimate examination.
Before a medical examination takes place, the patient must be informed of what is going to happen during the examination. The doctor should not deviate from what was consented to mid-examination, and must only examine the patient in accordance with what was agreed beforehand. If the doctor proceeds to examine beyond what was agreed upon, and the patient did not consent, then the doctor may be legally liable.
A patient may find it difficult to raise their concerns during an examination due to the nature of the appointment, but to then feel retrospectively that something was not right. Patients put their trust in medical professionals when they are at their most vulnerable, and abuse of that trust can have a significant impact both mentally and physically. This is why it is crucial to speak to someone if you are concerned about what occurred during an appointment.
How we can help with claims for sexual abuse by a doctor
Medical negligence claims can be made against doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, or any other professional working and treating a patient in a healthcare setting, when an act of sexual abuse has been committed.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse by a medical professional, our experienced team is here to listen and to help.
We offer a free consultation service and can deal with claims on a fully funded no win, no fee basis.




