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A former primary care physician at a Jefferson County hospital and his former employer are facing a civil lawsuit after multiple male patients allege the doctor performed inappropriate, clinically unnecessary physical examinations under the guise of routine medical care — and a parallel criminal investigation by Indiana State Police is now underway.
Dr. Abdelmessiah Guirguis is the Norton King's Daughters Health Madison Indiana Doctor Accused of Sexual Misconduct During Patient Exams who was terminated by Norton-King's Daughters' Health in December 2025 for what the hospital described as "grossly unprofessional conduct." He had worked at the Madison, Indiana facility from approximately late 2008 through December 2025. The Indiana Medical Licensing Board subsequently suspended his medical license for 90 days following a petition by the Indiana Attorney General's Office. Guirguis, through his attorney, has denied all allegations.
Indianapolis law firm Wagner Reese LLP filed a civil lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court on behalf of several former male patients. According to the complaint, Guirguis allegedly performed prolonged and clinically unnecessary exams — including ungloved prostate and genital examinations — in a manner described as lingering rather than clinical, concealing the alleged misconduct behind the trusted role of a physician. The lawsuit alleges that patients were unable to recognize the conduct as inappropriate at the time due to the authority and trust inherently placed in treating physicians.
The lawsuit also names Norton Health as a defendant, alleging the health system negligently hired, credentialed, and supervised Guirguis over the course of his employment. Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter confirmed awareness of a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police, and his office is reviewing information from law enforcement, though no criminal charges had been filed at the time of reporting.
The factual information above was sourced from theindianalawyer.com as of June 23, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a physician is accused of performing inappropriate examinations under the guise of medical care, patients may have significant civil legal options beyond any criminal proceedings. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Indiana sexual abuse attorney Jeff Gibson about the civil legal avenues that may be available to patients in cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by a medical provider.
Paul Amess: Jeff, when a physician is accused of performing inappropriate and unnecessary exams on patients under the guise of legitimate medical care, what civil legal options may be available?
Jeff Gibson: Cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by a physician during medical examinations are among the most serious civil matters we handle. Patients place extraordinary trust in their doctors, and when that trust is allegedly exploited under the cover of a clinical setting, the civil legal implications can be significant. Beyond claims against the individual physician, patients may have grounds to pursue civil action against the healthcare institution that employed the doctor — particularly if it can be shown that the institution had prior knowledge of complaints or failed to adequately supervise the physician's conduct over time.
Paul Amess: In cases where a hospital terminates a physician for unprofessional conduct and a civil lawsuit also names the institution as a defendant, what does that mean for the scope of civil liability?
Jeff Gibson: When a healthcare institution terminates an employee for unprofessional conduct, it acknowledges that something went wrong — and that acknowledgment can be highly relevant in civil litigation. The question civil cases examine is not only what the physician allegedly did, but what the institution knew, when it knew it, and what it did or failed to do in response. Institutions that hire, retain, and supervise physicians carry an ongoing responsibility to protect the patients in their care.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a patient in Indiana who believes they may have been subjected to inappropriate conduct during a medical examination?
Jeff Gibson: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Patients in these situations often struggle with uncertainty about whether what they experienced crossed a line — that is exactly what a confidential consultation with an attorney is designed to address. Time limits apply to civil claims in Indiana, and early guidance gives patients the clearest picture of their rights. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge.
If you or someone you love was allegedly subjected to inappropriate conduct, unnecessary examinations, or sexual misconduct by a medical provider or healthcare professional in Indiana, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Indiana sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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