TAMPA , Fla. (Legal Newsline) — A Florida hospital is facing a lawsuit after a resident doctor allegedly inappropriately touched a patient during a pelvic exam.
Jane Doe filed a complaint July 28 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Florida Health Sciences Center Inc., doing business as Tampa General Hospital, alleging negligence and breach of contract.
According to her complaint, Doe sought treatment at Tampa General Hospital's emergency room on July 29, 2018, due to severe stomach pain and other symptoms. She alleges that during a pelvic exam done by Dr. Josiah Hill, he touched her inappropriately.
She further claims that after that exam, a female gynecologist entered her room and performed a pelvic exam that was not the same experience as the exam done by Hill. Doe alleges that Hill was only a resident and was only permitted to observe or assist another doctor.
She also alleges that Tampa General's policies do not allow a person of the opposite gender to perform a pelvic exam on a patient who had previously been a victim of sexual assault. Doe claims she advised the medical staff during her medical history that she had previously been a victim of sexual assault.
She further claims Hill had similar accusations against him and in 2022 was arrested for sexual assault and for raping an unconscious patient.
Doe seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest, trial jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Kristin Rhodus and Megan Powell of The Rhodus Law Firm PLLC in St. Petersburg.