Brookdale Hospital Nurse Abuse Investigation: Information for Patients and Families
Patients and families connected to Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn are facing difficult questions after public reports that a hospital nurse, Kuriakose Poulose, was accused of sexually abusing a patient and had a documented history of similar allegations in another state.
According to a lawsuit filed in New York in June 2026 and reporting by NBC New York, a patient who was receiving overnight treatment for an autoimmune disorder alleges that Poulose administered an IV drug that left her physically incapacitated, then touched and fondled her body without consent while she was unable to move. The patient reported the incident to the NYPD the following morning. As of late June 2026, no arrests had been made, and the matter remained under investigation.
These allegations raise serious questions about what One Brooklyn Health, the owner of Brookdale Hospital, knew or should have known about Poulose before giving him access to vulnerable patients.
If you or a loved one was treated by Kuriakose Poulose, whether at Brookdale Hospital in New York or at a facility in New Jersey, and experienced inappropriate touching, an unnecessary or sexualized examination, or any other conduct that may have been abusive, you may have a legal claim.
Why this page exists
This page is intended to be a central information hub for patients of Kuriakose Poulose and their families, including former patients, family members, witnesses, co-workers, and hospital staff who may have information about his conduct.
As more information about Poulose becomes public, many people are asking the same questions:
- Was what happened to me or my loved one inappropriate?
- Did other people report concerns before?
- Could Brookdale Hospital or One Brooklyn Health be responsible?
- Could a New Jersey hospital or prior employer also be responsible?
- What should I do if I think this happened to me?
- Can I still bring a claim, and how long do I have?
PCVA Law wants to hear from patients, families, witnesses, and others who may have information. Coming forward can help establish whether Brookdale Hospital, One Brooklyn Health, or prior New Jersey employers failed to act on complaints or warning signs about Poulose’s conduct.
What the lawsuit and reporting allege
According to a lawsuit filed in New York and NBC New York’s reporting:
- The patient was admitted to Brookdale Hospital and was receiving treatment for an autoimmune disorder.
- On the night of December 5, 2025, the patient alleges Poulose administered an IV drug that physically incapacitated her.
- The lawsuit alleges that Poulose then touched and fondled the patient’s body, including intimate areas, with ungloved hands while she was unable to move.
- The patient reported the incident to the NYPD on the morning of December 6, 2025.
- The lawsuit alleges that Poulose backdated a note in the patient’s medical chart the following morning, describing her as verbally abusive and drug-seeking, in an effort to discredit her before she could report what happened.
- One Brooklyn Health declined to comment, citing an open criminal investigation.
- As of late June 2026, no arrests had been made.
These are allegations. Poulose did not respond to requests for comment from NBC New York, and he has denied earlier allegations against him in a separate matter. No criminal charges have been proven.
A documented history across two states
Part of what makes this matter significant is that the allegations against Poulose do not appear to be isolated.
According to NBC New York and New Jersey licensing records:
- In March 2025, the New Jersey Board of Nursing issued a Consent Order of Discipline against Poulose.
- The order concluded that Poulose committed professional misconduct by failing to disclose three earlier incidents, dating to 2020 and 2021, in which he was accused of groping women.
- Two of those allegations reportedly came from patients, and one came from a co-worker.
- Poulose denied the allegations but was ordered into a monitoring program, because New Jersey requires nurses to report incidents involving boundary violations.
- As of June 25, 2026, Poulose’s New Jersey nursing license was listed as inactive with a record of Board action, while his New York nursing license was listed as active with no enforcement actions, registered through March 2028.
This multi-state history raises serious questions about how Poulose continued to have access to patients, and whether the institutions that employed him conducted adequate background checks.
The institutional negligence question
In cases like this, the question is not only what the individual is accused of doing. The question is also what the hospital, its owners, supervisors, and administrators knew or should have known, and what steps they took to protect patients.
The lawsuit argues that Brookdale Hospital was negligent in giving Poulose access to patients, because a review of his nursing record, including the national NURSYS database that tracks disciplinary actions across states, would have revealed his prior history in New Jersey.
PCVA Law is investigating:
- Whether Brookdale Hospital or One Brooklyn Health checked NURSYS or other databases before or during Poulose’s employment
- Whether prior complaints or concerns about Poulose were reported and ignored
- Whether the hospital had adequate policies for supervision, chaperoning, and reporting suspected abuse, and whether those policies were followed
- Whether other patients encountered Poulose and experienced similar conduct
- Whether patients who came into contact with Poulose were properly notified after concerns became known
Medical provider sexual abuse cases often follow a pattern
PCVA has significant experience representing survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct by medical professionals, including cases where doctors or nurses used their position of trust to gain access to vulnerable patients and sexually abuse and exploit them.
The allegations involving Palouse appear to follow a pattern our attorneys have seen before: a respected medical provider, trusted by children and parents, is accused of using that trust to create opportunities to sexually abuse the patient. PCVA Law represented dozens of former patients of Dr. Reginald Archibald and Dr. Darius Paduch, and currently represents more than one hundred survivors who allege they were abused by Dr. Mark Mulholland in Eastern Washington. Our team understands how these cases often expand as survivors, parents, staff, and witnesses begin connecting the dots and begin to understand how the doctor used medical care as a guise for abusing them.
In cases involving medical professionals, the question is not only what the doctor did. The question is also what hospitals, clinics, medical groups, supervisors, chaperones, nurses, administrators, and other institutions knew or should have known about the doctor – and what steps they took, if any, to prevent the doctor from abusing their patients.
You are not alone, and you are not imagining it
The attorney representing the Brooklyn patient has publicly urged other potential victims to come forward, emphasizing that survivors who suspect they were abused should speak up.
Not every survivor recognizes abuse immediately, especially when it occurs in a medical setting, during sedation, or while a patient is incapacitated or otherwise vulnerable. Many people only understand what happened later. If something felt wrong during your care, your experience matters, and you have the right to ask questions.
What to do if you encountered Kuriakose Poulose
If you or a loved one was treated by Poulose at Brookdale Hospital or at a New Jersey facility, please contact us to learn your legal options. You do not need to be certain you have a case before reaching out. A conversation with an attorney can help you understand whether what happened may be legally significant.
In anticipation of contacting us, it may help to write down anything you remember, including:
- The approximate dates and location of treatment
- The facility, unit, or floor where care occurred
- Whether you were sedated, medicated, or unable to move
- Whether a chaperone, family member, or other staff member was present
- What type of examination or care occurred
- Whether anything felt unnecessary, confusing, or sexualized
- Whether you or a family member reported concerns, and how anyone responded
You may also want to preserve records, including medical charts, MyChart messages, discharge paperwork, billing records, text messages, emails, calendars, and notes that could help establish when and where you were treated.
Talk to PCVA Law about Brookdale Hospital and Kuriakose Poulose
You may have a claim if:
- You were touched inappropriately or abused by Kuriakose Poulose
- You were subjected to an unnecessary or sexualized examination
- You were sedated or incapacitated during an encounter that felt wrong
- A family member was abused while in his care
- You reported concerns about Poulose to a hospital or other employer
Please contact PCVA Law for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee for our services unless you hire us and we recover financial compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was a Brookdale Hospital nurse accused of sexual abuse?
Yes. According to a lawsuit and reporting by NBC New York, a patient alleged that nurse Kuriakose Poulose drugged and molested her during an overnight shift at Brookdale Hospital in December 2025. The patient reported the incident to the NYPD. As of late June 2026, no arrests had been made, and the allegations had not been proven.
Who is Kuriakose Poulose?
Were there earlier allegations against Poulose?
Yes. According to NBC New York and New Jersey records, the New Jersey Board of Nursing found that Poulose failed to disclose three incidents from 2020 and 2021 in which he was accused of groping women, two of them patients and one a co-worker. Poulose denied the allegations but was ordered into a monitoring program.
Can I bring a claim against Brookdale Hospital or One Brooklyn Health?
Yes. Even though an individual nurse is the person accused, hospitals and their owners can be held responsible when they fail to screen, supervise, or act on warning signs about an employee. The lawsuit alleges Brookdale was negligent because a review of Poulose's record would have revealed his prior New Jersey history. An attorney can help evaluate whether you have a claim.
What if I am not sure whether what happened was abuse?
That is common, especially when abuse occurs during medical care, sedation, or while a patient is incapacitated. An attorney can help evaluate the circumstances, including whether any examination or contact was medically necessary.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
Deadlines depend on the facts, the state where the treatment occurred, and other circumstances. Because time limits can be strict and can vary between New York and New Jersey, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to understand your options.
Do I have to talk to police before calling a lawyer?
No. You can speak with an attorney confidentially first. A lawyer can help you understand your options, including whether and how to report to law enforcement.