Sex Abuse
As a Chicago Medical Malpractice lawyer for the last 25 years I have seen many sad and devastating injuries, but none more revolting than sexual abuse of the innocent and helpless. I have represented many victims of sexual abuse in nursing homes. Unfortunately some poorly run nursing homes provide the perfect environment for sexual predators. In nursing homes that are understaffed and poorly run sexual predators can move about freely without fear of discovery. Their victims are often unable to complain and when they do the Nursing Homes often act to protect the criminal and cover up the crime. We recently settled a particularly sad case for $3.75 million.
Opportunities for sexual predators can arise anytime there is an imbalance of power in a relationship. For example, we have handled many cases where psychologists or psychiatrists have improperly exploited their patient sexually. It is a gross misuse of power and control for a mental health worker to engage in sexual activity with a patient. These relationships lead to a lifetime of pain and recovery for the victims.
Priest or clergy sex abuse cases can be some of the most devastating to the victims. In these cases the victims put their trust and faith in a member of the clergy only to be exploited sexually and left to feel a lifetime of guilt and loss of trust.
Anytime there is an imbalance of power in a professional or fiduciary relationship there is the potential for abuse. Whether it be a doctor - patient; lawyer - client; scoutmaster - boy scout; teacher - student; priest - parishioner; or psychologist - patient if there is a sexual relationship at the same time there is a professional relationship then it is likely that exploitation has occurred. If this has happened to you or someone you know you should contact Hurley McKenna & Mertz P.C. at 312-553-4900 to learn your legal rights.
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