Over 100 women sue Boston doctor for sexual assault

Last Friday, a group of women came forward with a class-action lawsuit targeting a Boston- based doctor, whom they alleged had performed inappropriate physical examinations on them that were unnecessary for medical purposes.

Dr. Derrick Todd, a rheumatologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital until his departure in July, stands accused in the lawsuit of conducting pelvic, breast, and rectal exams for his own sexual gratification during appointments. The patients involved in the lawsuit claim that his behavior, which they described as harmful and offensive touching, amounted to sexual assault.

"Every one of these women felt that they were alone," stated Andrew Meyer, an attorney representing the patients, in an interview with NBC.

Meyer revealed that over 100 women have now joined the lawsuit against the doctor, with the attorney arguing that he went "well beyond normal examinations." Patients told Meyer that the doctor coerced them into undressing and subjected them to unnecessary breast and pelvic exams. The lawsuit comes in the wake of two similar lawsuits filed against Todd last week. One of these accuses him of sexual assault under the guise of medical care. Johnathan Sweet, the lawyer who filed this suit from Keches Law Group, anticipates that at least ten of the doctor's former patients will join the case.

The other lawsuit was filed by a single plaintiff, who claimed that from November to July, Todd made inappropriate comments towards her, coerced her into being naked in the exam room with him, and conducted unnecessary exams.
Brigham and Women's Hospital is named as a co-defendant in all three lawsuits, with many patients alleging that Todd's misconduct dates back to 2011 up until this past July.

Ingrid Martin, Todd's attorney, asserted that he has fully cooperated with the recent investigations, firmly believing that the allegations are false.

In a statement, Martin expressed confidence, saying, "He is confident that when all the facts are considered — or even litigated — these allegations will be proven to be without merit. All of that will take place in the appropriate forums and not in the context of a media frenzy or a rush to judgment."