More than 100 plaintiffs have filed a new lawsuit against a former Cedars-Sinai Medical Center obstetrician/gynecologist, alleging that he committed sexual misconduct and abuse while treating patients over many decades.
The unnamed women accused Dr. Barry J. Brock of sexually abusive examinations as well as “barbaric” stitching procedures and performing dangerous vaginal births. The plaintiffs are represented by the Arias Sanguinetti and DiPietro law firms, which filed the lawsuit on Jan. 2 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
This marks the third lawsuit filed against Brock, with the total number of women allegedly abused by the physician now at more than 150, according to the plaintiffs’ law firm. The allegations go back decades and implicate Cedars-Sinai in the plaintiffs’ treatment while under Brock’s care.
“Despite Dr. Brock being the subject of several internal complaints, patient reports, medical staff warnings and even dozens of civil lawsuits, the hospital failed to take appropriate steps to protect his patients,” the law firms said.
But the medical center said it has taken actions against Brock.
“The type of behavior alleged about Dr. Barry Brock is counter to Cedars-Sinai's core values and the trust we strive to earn every day with our patients,” a Cedars-Sinai statement emailed to the Southern California Record says. “Dr. Brock no longer has privileges to practice medicine at Cedars-Sinai, and we have reported this matter to the California Medical Board. We recognize the legal process must now take its course, and we remain committed to Cedars-Sinai's sacred healing mission and serving our community.”
According to an accusation filed by Reji Varghese, the state medical board’s executive director, Brock engaged in repeated acts of negligent care of patients, including inadequate follow-up examinations after medical procedures, and failed to maintain adequate records.
Varghese called on the California Medical Board to revoke or suspend Brock’s medical license, suspend his authority to supervise medical personnel and pay the board for the investigative costs associated with the case, according to the complaint filed on Sept. 23.
"Women continue to come forward to accuse Dr. Brock of just the most offensive behavior one can imagine from an OBGYN," one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Mike Arias, said in a prepared statement. "Not only did he put his patients' health and safety at risk, but also he jeopardized the health and well-being of their unborn and newborn babies."
Another of the plaintiffs’ attorneys said Cedars-Sinai engaged in a “cover-up” and compounded the women’s trauma.
“... As they've stepped forward to tell their stories, both Dr. Brock and his legal team have called them liars,” attorney Anthony DiPietro said. “No woman should have to endure such treatment.”
A blog post by another law firm, Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers PA, said that based on the descriptions of allegations against the doctor, the plaintiffs may be suffering from a profound emotional and psychological impact.
“Numerous patients reported unacceptable physical contact during routine exams, like breast and pelvic exams – some of which were conducted without their consent in the first place,” the post said. “These actions were invasive and non-consensual. …”
Brock’s attorney has argued that financial gain was largely behind filing of the lawsuit and that attorneys have sought out women to support the case, according to the post.