In cases like this, the question is not only what the individual physician is accused of doing. The question is also what the hospitals, medical groups, and corporate owners that employed or credentialed him knew or should have known, and what steps they took to protect patients.

Hospitals, medical practices, and healthcare companies have a duty to protect patients from abuse by their own staff. That duty includes careful hiring and vetting, supervision, clear procedures for reporting suspected abuse, and chaperone policies during sensitive examinations.

PCVA Law is investigating:

• Whether any complaints or concerns about Dr. Hoffman were reported before the criminal investigation, and how they were handled
• Whether chaperone or supervision policies existed and were followed during examinations
• Whether the institutions that employed or credentialed Dr. Hoffman ignored red flags
• Whether patients were properly notified when Dr. Hoffman left the practice and when concerns became known
• Whether Dr. Hoffman continued treating patients at other locations after concerns arose

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.

If you or a loved one was treated by Dr. Hoffman, you have 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.

It may help to write down anything you remember, including:

• The approximate dates and the location where you were treated
• The clinic, hospital, or office where appointments occurred
• Whether a nurse, chaperone, or family member was present
• Whether you were asked to undress, and whether there was a clear medical reason
• What type of examination 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 appointment history, patient portal messages, billing records, letters, emails, text messages, and notes that could help establish when and where you were treated.

If you believe you may have been a victim, Nassau County police have asked that you contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or the Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022. Callers may remain anonymous. You can also speak with an attorney confidentially about your civil options.

A civil case is separate from the criminal case and operates under a different standard of proof. You can pursue a civil claim whether or not there is a criminal conviction.

The deadline to bring a civil claim depends on the facts, including when and where the conduct occurred. Recent claims are generally well within New York’s filing deadlines, and New York has at times revived older claims that would otherwise have expired. Because these rules are detailed and can change, the most reliable way to learn your options is to speak with an attorney who can evaluate your specific situation.

PCVA Law represents survivors of Dr. Hoffman and is actively speaking with additional patients, family members, and witnesses. We are not an attorney referral service. We are a law firm with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, and New York, and our lawyers have represented survivors of sexual abuse for more than 25 years. We take a trauma-informed approach, which means we prioritize the well-being of the people we represent throughout the legal process.

You may have a claim if:

• You were touched inappropriately or abused by Dr. Hoffman
• You were subjected to an unnecessary or sexualized examination
• You experienced an examination without a chaperone that felt wrong
• A family member was abused while in his care
• You reported concerns about Dr. Hoffman to a hospital, practice, 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. You can reach our New York office at (212) 300-2444 or complete our online form.