Former Dr. Darius Paduch Sentenced to Life in Prison

Nov 21, 2024 | Firm News, Sexual Abuse

FEDERAL JUDGE SENTENCES DISGRACED UROLOGIST DR. DARIUS PADUCH TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR HEINOUS PATIENT ABUSE

A federal judge today sentenced Dr. Darius Paduch, a former urologist at Weill Cornell, New York-Presbyterian (WCM/NYPH), and Northwell Health, to a life sentence for his 11 felony counts of sexually assaulting and abusing his patients. Dr. Paduch was found guilty on all counts by a federal jury in May.

The survivors who testified during the trial represent only a fraction of the hundreds of former patients Dr. Paduch abused during his tenure at these trusted institutions. Following the sentencing, Mallory Allen, a partner at PCVA who represents more than 140 survivors filing civil claims against the disgraced doctor, released the following statement:

“While no sentence can ever undo the pain and suffering endured by each and every survivor who experienced abuse at the hands of Dr. Darius Paduch, the sentencing closes an important chapter for these survivors,” said Mallory Allen, partner at PCVA. “For nearly twenty years, patients who trusted him for their medical care and treatment were instead brutalized by his degrading, sexually violating, and medically unfounded acts while the supposedly prestigious medical institutions where we worked continued to look the other way. The survivors’ strength, particularly those who were brave enough to testify in the criminal trial, has been incredible and ensured that Dr. Paduch is held accountable. His sentence today reaffirms that heinous sexual abuse will not be overlooked.”

“Our focus remains steadfast on achieving justice for each and every survivor through the pending civil cases against the institutions that knew Dr. Paduch was a danger to their patients but turned a blind eye. These claims are about holding Weill Cornell, New York-Presbyterian, and Northwell Health accountable for their repeated abject failures to properly investigate the repeated complaints of his patients and ultimately enabling, and covering up, his decades of abuse.”

“We hope the criminal sentence offers a measure of closure to each survivor and inspires others to come forward and seek justice so that they can begin to heal and rebuild their lives.”

How did Dr. Paduch abuse his victims?

Educated in Poland and the United States, Dr. Paduch began his medical career in the early 2000s and worked at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center for many years as a urologist specializing in male infertility and sexual dysfunction. He moved to Northwell Health in Long Island in 2019.

Dr. Paduch exploited patients in his examination room under the pretense of providing medical treatment.

Like many other sexual predators, Dr. Paduch veiled his abuse and assault as something legitimate or harmless, and given his position at highly respected institutions, patients trusted him completely.

Dr. Paduch also touted himself as an expert in a genetic condition called Klinefelter Syndrome (or “XXY”) – a condition where a male child is born with an extra X chromosome. With the support of the hospitals where he worked, Dr. Paduch was able to convince the families of dozens of children who had been diagnosed with XXY to treat with him. Instead of providing these children with the care they desperately needed, he sexually abused them.

Learn more about how Dr. Darius Paduch was able to sexually abuse individuals for as long as he did and how our attorneys tirelessly fought for over 140 survivors’ justice against the sexual abuse they experienced here.

I feel like I was violated by Dr. Paduch, but does it merit filing a lawsuit?

Dr. Paduch exploited his position as a physician and masked his abuse as medical treatment.

Even if there is no outward injury to the body, sexual abuse causes serious injury. The effects of sexual violence by a physician can include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Flashbacks
Anxiety
Depression
Dissociation
Panic attacks
Substance abuse
Disordered sleep
Sexual dysfunction
Relationship issues
Trust issues and fear of medical professionals

These are serious issues that can harm a person’s ability to work, study, maintain relationships and enjoy their lives the way they used to.

Who is responsible for Dr. Paduch’s sexual abuse?

In New York, a doctor’s employer has a responsibility to ensure that patients are safe when seeking treatment and using its facilities. The employer should be held responsible if the employer either knew or should have known that the employee posed a danger.

On behalf of over 130 former patients, PCVA is suing Weill Cornell, New York–Presbyterian Hospital, and Northwell Health because PCVA has evidence that each of these institutions knew that Dr. Paduch posed a danger to patients because its own employees and other patients reported concerning conduct for years. Despite those repeated reported concerns, these institutions took no action to protect their patients.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in New York if I was sexually assaulted or abused?

While both the Child Victims Act and the New York Adult Survivors Act provided new deadlines for survivors of sexual abuse to file lawsuits regarding abuse they suffered years prior, both the CVA and ASA “filing windows” have now closed.

But survivors may still be able to file a lawsuit. If a survivor was abused as a child, and the abuse occurred after 2018 or the survivor was under the age of 21 as of February 14, 2018, that child survivor has a right to file a lawsuit until the age of 55.

If a survivor was abused as an adult, and the abuse occurred in the last three years, a lawsuit can be filed. If the abuse occurred earlier, the legislature has and may again consider legislation which would either re-open the filing window, or permanently reform the statute of limitations. We are happy to speak to anyone about their options and rights.

Our Case Results

PCVA has a lengthy history of pursuing damages from institutions that employed professionals who abused their positions of authority to sexually assault children and adults.

Learn more here about our cases against Dr. Paduch and its most recent developments here:

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Doctor Patient Sex Abuse