Kristin Fritz sought treatment from a rheumatologist recommended by her doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston a decade ago after suffering from pain in her back.
Fritz’s early consultations with Dr. Derrick Todd were typical. However, as the session progressed, she recalled feeling uncomfortable as Todd aggressively touched her breasts, as if he enjoyed the act.
It wasn’t until last year, when the hospital contacted her about Todd, that she understood the violation. She later realized she wasn’t alone.
“I feel so dishonored,” she told The Associated Press. “I feel so ashamed of myself for not knowing better at the moment to do anything and to be like, yeah, this did feel wrong, and I should tell somebody.”
The lawsuit accuses doctor of subjecting patients to unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations
It is worth noting that she is one of over 200 women and men who have filed a consolidated complaint against Todd in Massachusetts’ Suffolk Superior Court.
The lawsuit, which combines various files, accuses Todd of exposing patients to needless pelvic floor therapy, breast inspections, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations.
The lawsuit claims that Todd, a former rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who specializes in treating inflammatory diseases of the muscles, joints, and bones, began abusing patients in 2010. It also accuses several dozen other defendants, including Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Charles River Medical Associates, of being aware of the abuse but failing to act.
William Thompson of Lubin & Meyer, the Boston-based firm that represents the majority of the victims, called the case unusual because of the large number of people who were victimized by him. Thompson also questioned how such misbehavior could have gone on for so long within the hospital and practice group without being detected or addressed.
Initially, the hospital received an anonymous complaint about Todd, prompting an internal investigation. He was advised not to undertake sensitive examinations without a chaperone. Later in June, he was placed on administrative leave and eventually fired.
The hospital notified the Department of Public Health, the state Board of Registration in Medicine, police enforcement, and Todd’s present and past patients.
Todd willingly agreed with the Board of Registration in Medicine in September to discontinue his medical practice nationwide.
Thompson noted that victims of the assault ranged in age from teenagers to ladies in their sixties. The lawsuit claimed Todd would earn their trust, go beyond treating their rheumatic diseases, and become their sole doctor while doing invasive, needless exams.
Fritz’s experience will be with her for the rest of her life. But she finds solace in the notion that Todd has already paid a price for his behavior.
