"Traumatizing and deplorable acts," Dr. Derrick Todd accused of sex assault by least 70 former patients in lawsuit
BOSTON - At least 70 patients have joined together to sue former Brigham and Women's Doctor Derrick Todd following claims he sexually abused his patients.
The lawsuit is the third filed in the last two weeks against Todd. The first was filed by an anonymous plaintiff on September 29, and the second was filed by former patient Mimi DiTrani on Tuesday, October 10.
The third lawsuit, a class action filed Wednesday, October 11, covers at least 70 former patients and lists Nancy Larsen of Hull as its lead plaintiff.
"Dr. Todd performed inappropriate pelvic examinations, breast examinations, and rectal examinations on patients. These examinations were performed for his own sexual gratification," the complaint reads.
"These horrifying, traumatizing, and deplorable acts took place over the years, from at least as far back as 2011 and continuing through July 2023, at which time Dr. Todd was investigated," it continues.
Sisters Sabrina Soini and Samantha Sullivan questioned themselves after their first uncomfortable visits with Dr. Todd in February and April of this year. Sullivan had been a patient since 2021.
"It was a 45-minute pelvic massage that at the end he had you sit down, and he talked with you, and he asked you all kinds of extremely inappropriate and personal questions about your sex life," Soini said.
"You know he was doing things that weren't standard, weren't typical of any normal gynecological exam and at that point you know, I felt suspicious," Sullivan said.
WBZ-TV's Kristina Rex asked Sullivan what was going through her mind after that appointment. "I think my doctor just sexually assaulted me," Sullivan said.
"It was very surprising to find out. This has been happening to more than just my sister and I," said Sullivan. "It was a lot to process."
The women say Dr. Todd called them personally when he stopped practicing medicine over the summer. "He was you know, crying, very upset that he was overworked, and he needed to take a pause in his career, and he wasn't sure how long, but then he would probably be back," Sullivan said.
In addition to Dr. Todd, the lawsuit names Brigham and Women's, Charles River Medical Associates, Mass General Brigham, and several individual doctors who worked with or above Dr. Todd as defendants.
"Everybody loved him. His patients loved him. He made you think he was the best possible doctor you could've ever had," Soini said.
Todd is being sued for negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual assault, and battery, among others.
Several patients claim Todd, who worked primarily in arthritis care and rare rheumatological conditions, convinced them he should also conduct gynecological work and breast exams, according to attorney Drew Meyer of Lubin and Meyer, who represents the plaintiffs in this class action suit. Dr. Todd would see patients alone, before and after traditional hours, according to the attorney.
"Living with multiple chronic illnesses is very difficult, and it's hard to find a specialist that knows exactly what to do. It's complicated. There's a lot that goes into all of the care and a lot of doctors can't provide that. Dr. Todd was aware of that and he use that to his advantage," Soini said.
Dr. Todd has not responded to WBZ-TV's multiple requests for comment. Last week, his attorney told WBZ he denies any wrongdoing. Todd voluntarily gave up his medical license temporarily while he is investigated by the Board of Medicine.
Several victims also told WBZ they have been interviewed by Boston Police detectives as part of a criminal investigation.
Dr. Todd was fired from Brigham over the summer after a hospital investigation into these allegations.