As reported by the Leader-Telegram from Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley areas, a pediatrician, and the clinic that employed him, are being sued due to sexual abuse allegations. The physician is already facing second-degree sexual assault charges in a separate incident in regards to a different victim.
Eau Claire-based pediatrician Dr. D.V. and the Mayo Clinic Health System are named as defendants in the civil lawsuit, stemming from allegations that Dr. D.V. repeatedly abused a male patient in the Mayo Clinic beginning in 2004 through to 2011.
The criminal case is in regards to allegations made by an employee of a health care entity, involving a 16-year-old boy. In the boy's case, Dr. D.V. is accused of sexual assault during a sports physical.
Dr. D.V., employed by the Mayo Clinic Health System since 1994, was terminated this past September.
His bond was set at 10,000 in the criminal case, and he is currently out of jail.
St. Paul attorney Jeffrey Anderson filed the civil lawsuit in Eau Claire County Court the week of December 3. The plaintiff, known as John Doe in the suit, is a resident of Minnesota and is currently 21 years old.
There are 10 incidents described in the lawsuit in which Dr. D.V. allegedly inflicted harmful and offensive sexual contact on the boy – all under the guise of providing medical care and treatment at Eau Claire's Mayo Clinic.
According to the suit, in 2007 a parent of another minor male complained to the Mayo Clinic that Dr. D.V. had inappropriately touched her child during a medical examination. This accusation, now brought to light, is cited in the lawsuit to show that Mayo Clinic had knowledge of Dr. D.V.'s behavior and yet was negligent in supervising him.
The clinic is also cited for continuing to represent Dr. D.V. as qualified, competent and safe enough to treat patients.
The suit states that the clinic had "an implied duty to select and maintain only qualified members of its medical staff to insure quality care, diagnosis and treatment of its patients."
Punitive damages are sought from both Dr. D.V. and Mayo Clinic Health Systems.
Anderson has stated his concern that there may be other victims, yet to come forward, that Dr. D.V. assaulted. Anderson commented, "We are honored to represent this courageous young man who spoke up in an attempt to bring hope, help and healing to other survivors who may have been injured by this powerful individual."
Susan Barber Lindquist, the spokeswoman for Mayo Clinic Health System said, "The first complaint we are aware of was received on Aug. 30. We are not aware of any previous complaints of this nature regarding Dr. (V.L.). We will investigate any new information thoroughly and continue to work with families and the Eau Claire Police Department on this matter."
Lindquist also stated that though she is aware of the lawsuit, she has yet to thoroughly review it.
If you feel that you have been made a victim by the actions of another party, contact a personal injury lawyer near you today!