Legal Analysis By Attorneys
Breaking Legal News
A physical therapist at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an elderly female patient. 30-year-old Regginald Jackson was arrested late Monday night on a charge of sexual battery.
Detectives were called to the hospital last night after a 75-year-old female patient sounded an alarm in her room. An on-duty nurse told the detectives that she witnessed Jackson placing his genitals in the patient's mouth on a live feed camera from inside of the room.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Jackson refused to cooperate with detectives when they attempted to question him about the alleged sexual assault.
The Baycare Health System released a statement announcing that Jackson's employment will be terminated.
The authorities believe there could be other patients who have been sexually assaulted by Jackson. They have asked anyone with information on other incidents involving Jackson to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-8477.
Sexual assault victims lawyer Michael Haggard represents sexual assault victims and their families in civil lawsuits. Michael has offered to share some of his knowledge on the legal rights of those who have been sexually assaulted by physical therapists and other medical professionals:
Physical therapists are trusted to provide their patients with the quality medical care they deserve and to treat these patients with respect. Most of these medical professionals live up to this trust, but there have also been far too many cases of medical professionals committing heinous crimes of sexual violence against their patients. These predators must be held accountable for their crimes and their victims deserve justice and support.
When a patient reports a medical professional for sexual assault, there will likely be a criminal investigation. However, these victims also often have grounds for further legal recourse by filing a sexual assault lawsuit. Predatory medical professionals and medical facilities can potentially both be held liable in these lawsuits, depending on the circumstances of the crime.
For example, a hospital could be held liable for a sexual assault by an employee if the hospital was negligent - such as failing to investigate previous reports of sexual misconduct by the employee.
If you or a loved one is a victim of sexual assault by a physical therapist or another medical professional, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our experienced sexual assault victims lawyers.
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