Cedars-Sinai Accused of Ignoring Decades of Sexual Abuse Complaints Against Gynecologist

‍

More than 500 former patients have filed lawsuits alleging that Cedars-Sinai Medical Center failed to act on decades of sexual abuse complaints against gynecologist Dr. Barry J. Brock. The lawsuits claim that Brock sexually abused patients for nearly 40 years while practicing at Cedars-Sinai. According to the complaints, patients describe a pattern of misconduct that included inserting ungloved fingers during pelvic examinations, massaging breasts and genitals without medical justification, performing exams without a nurse or chaperone present, making inappropriate comments about patients’ bodies, and placing allegedly unnecessary postpartum sutures that he purportedly said would “tighten” vaginal openings.

More than 100 plaintiffs accuse Brock of inserting ungloved fingers into their vaginas or anuses - conduct identified by the Federation of State Medical Boards as sexual impropriety.

Several plaintiffs were minors when the alleged abuse began.

Brock has denied all wrongdoing.

‍

Early Complaints and Alleged Inaction

One woman alleges she reported Brock’s behavior in 1986 after what she described as a sexually violating examination. She says she and her mother informed another Cedars-Sinai physician about the incident. According to the lawsuit, she never heard of any follow-up action. Since October 2024, at least 17 civil lawsuits have been filed against Brock and Cedars-Sinai. More than a dozen plaintiffs say they directly alerted Cedars personnel over the years. Some report contacting patient services hotlines; others say they informed nurses or other physicians.

One lawsuit alleges that a nurse told a patient, “This is normal for him.” Another plaintiff claims she was told, “Well, you know Dr. Brock.”

Cedars-Sinai terminated Brock’s hospital privileges in 2024 after what it described as “concerning complaints.” The institution has declined to confirm whether prior reports existed, citing privacy laws.

In June 2025, Brock surrendered his medical license rather than contest a negligent care accusation filed by the Medical Board of California.

‍

The Institutional Accountability Question

The lawsuits do not focus solely on Brock’s alleged actions; they also center heavily on whether Cedars-Sinai and its affiliated practices failed to protect patients. The claims raise serious questions about a hospital’s legal duty when it receives misconduct complaints, what systems are in place to investigate physician abuse, how patients are informed about disciplinary findings, and when institutional silence may become a source of liability. Hospitals have both ethical and legal obligations to respond to credible allegations of sexual misconduct, and when complaints accumulate over years, a failure to investigate or take action may expose institutions to claims of negligent supervision, retention, or concealment.

‍

Why Many Patients Stayed Silent

The lawsuits describe patients who:

• Believed uncomfortable exams were “normal”
• Had high-risk pregnancies and feared losing care
• Felt dismissed when they reported concerns
• Were told similar complaints had been made before
• Never received written follow-up from the hospital

One plaintiff alleges that after filing a formal complaint in 2014, she was told by a nurse that other complaints had been received, yet she never received written confirmation or explanation of any investigation.

The emotional toll, according to the lawsuits, was profound. Some women avoided gynecological care for years.

‍

Legal Implications Moving Forward

The litigation could hinge on:

• Statutes of limitation and sexual abuse “lookback” laws
• Evidence of prior notice to Cedars-Sinai
• Internal communications and complaint documentation
• Institutional policies regarding chaperones and reporting procedures

Courts will ultimately determine whether Cedars-Sinai bears liability for alleged failures to act.

For individuals who believe they may have experienced medical misconduct, it is important to understand your legal rights and potential options. You can learn more about filing claims related to medical negligence or abuse at:
https://mklawllp.com/contact/

‍

A Broader Conversation About Patient Safety

This case highlights broader systemic issues within healthcare, including the power dynamics that often exist between physicians and patients, the barriers that can prevent individuals from reporting misconduct, the importance of transparent and accessible complaint processes, and the need for trauma-informed institutional responses when allegations arise. As the legal process unfolds, the lawsuits may prompt increased scrutiny of hospital oversight practices and the effectiveness of the safeguards designed to protect patients.

‍

Source Attribution

This blog post is based on reporting by Corinne Purtill in the Los Angeles Times.
Read the original article here:
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-02-13/cedars-sinai-didnt-act-on-years-of-abuse-complaints-lawsuits-say

If you or someone you know has concerns about medical misconduct or hospital negligence, consulting with experienced counsel can help clarify your rights and options.

‍