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The doctor accused of sexually abusing a patient at the Integrative Pain Center in Rock Island has pleaded not guilty to criminal sexual abuse and a trial date has been set for March 11. Dr. V.R. Karuparthy appeared in court on Tuesday, January 22, and pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal sexual abuse.
According to court documents, these charges stem from an incident that police say happened on August 23. The incident involved inappropriate touching of a patient who was unable to consent.
A warrant was issued for Karuparthy’s arrest on December 19 and he was arrested later that month in Scott County. He made his first court appearance earlier in January.
Karuparthy’s license to practice medicine and surgery in Illinois was suspended on November 7 because of the alleged sexual misconduct. The Integrative Pain Center was also shut down following this suspension.
This latest suspension is the fifth issue involving Karuparthy’s license since 1991.
He is currently free on $25,000 bail and has been ordered to avoid all contact with the victim. He will appear in court again on February 22.
Wondering “Can I sue for being sexually assaulted by a doctor?” Continue reading for lawyer commentary from Brian Kent.
Attorney contributor Brian Kent specializes in representing survivors of sexual assault, helping them recover the financial compensation they deserve in civil lawsuits. Here is some insight from Brian on the legal options available to those who have been sexually abused by doctors and other medical professionals:
Most of us naturally trust that our doctors have our best interests at heart. While this is usually the case, some doctors and other medical professionals are sexual predators who abuse this trust and commit heinous crimes. When a doctor sexually abuses a patient, it’s crucial to make sure law enforcement steps in to arrest and prosecute the abuser. Additionally, the victims of this abuse should be aware of their legal rights in both criminal and civil courts.
While the prosecution of sexual predators is handled by the criminal justice system, victims also have legal options in civil courts. In many cases, victims of sexual abuse in medical facilities may have grounds for a lawsuit against both the doctor who abused them and the facility itself. For example, a hospital could be held liable for abuse by a doctor if they had failed to report previous allegations of sexual abuse to law enforcement.
Have you or a loved one been sexually abused by a doctor or another medical professional? You have options for justice in the legal system. Get in touch with our experienced sexual assault survivors attorneys to learn more about your family’s legal rights.
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