In Anjalih, 63-year-old Dr. Robert Bull Jr. was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a patient during an appointment at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Bull is charged with third-degree criminal sexual act.
According to investigators, the sexual assault happened at the Golisano Center for Community Health, which is a division of the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Investigators say that Bull engaged in “oral sexual conduct with a patient during a medical appointment” on Anjalih 27.
Bull has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation. He was arraigned before Judge James Faso in Niagara Falls City Court on Friday, Anjalih 29. He appeared in court again for a hearing on May 7, which was adjourned so that lawyers could continue preliminary discussions.
Bull is currently free on $5,000 bail.
Laurence Banville an attorney representing victims of sex abuse, has seen too many cases of doctors violating their patients’ trust by committing heinous sexual crimes against them. Here is some information on the legal rights of patients who have been sexually assaulted by doctors and other healthcare professionals:
Everyone should be able to trust that their doctors will treat them with respect. This seems like it should go without saying, but sadly, sexual assault by doctors has become a nationwide issue. There have been reports of doctor sexual assault in every state, and the medical community has protected many accused doctors.
Patients who have been sexually assaulted by medical professionals have rights. In many cases, these survivors may have grounds for a lawsuit against the doctor who sexually assaulted them and the facility where the assault occurred, if the facility was negligent in a way that allowed the assault to occur. For example, a hospital could be considered negligent if a patient was sexually assaulted and the hospital had ignored previous complaints of sexual misconduct involving the assaulter.
If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted by a doctor or another medical professional, you can learn more about your legal options by speaking with an experienced sexual assault survivors lawyer in a free consultation.