If you’re reading this, you may have been a patient of Dr. Derek J. Todd or know someone who was. You may be searching for information, clarity, or legal options. Lawsuit Legal News provides facts about the Dr. Derek Todd sexual abuse lawsuits, not assumptions, and explains what civil sexual abuse lawsuits involve—without pressure or judgment.
Dr. Todd, a former rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, is currently the subject of a consolidated civil lawsuit involving more than 200 former patients. These individuals allege that he performed invasive and unnecessary medical exams that were not based on legitimate care. At the same time, he is now facing criminal charges for sexual assault tied to his medical practice. The allegations span over a decade, with claims stretching back to 2010.
Legal action is already underway. In Massachusetts Superior Court, a Master Complaint now unifies the civil claims of over 200 survivors. Separate criminal proceedings are active in Middlesex County. The situation is evolving, and many individuals are still weighing whether to come forward.
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Overview of the Allegations Against Dr. Derek Todd
The allegations against Dr. Derek “Derrick” J. Todd involve claims that span over a decade and now include more than 200 former patients. The central accusation is that Dr. Todd, while working as a rheumatologist, used his position to perform invasive physical exams that had no legitimate medical purpose. Plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit describe these as acts of sexual abuse committed under the guise of routine care.
Dr. Todd practiced at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, and Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham. According to court records and media reports, patients allege he performed inappropriate pelvic, breast, rectal, and testicular exams during visits unrelated to those body systems.
These exams were often conducted without gloves, without chaperones, and in a manner described as painful, prolonged, or sexually suggestive. Some patients report that they were minors at the time. Others say they trusted Dr. Todd’s credentials and believed the exams were medically necessary—until they later realized they were not.
In many cases, the alleged abuse occurred during appointments scheduled outside of regular clinic hours or in private settings. Several patients say Dr. Todd contacted them directly via personal texts and offered to act as their primary care doctor, even though he was not assigned to that role.
The lawsuits also accuse the medical institutions that employed Dr. Todd of failing to monitor his conduct and respond to red flags. Some named defendants include Brigham, Women’s Hospital, and Charles River Medical Associates. Plaintiffs argue these organizations either knew or should have known what was happening and failed to intervene.
These allegations are now the subject of both civil litigation and criminal prosecution.
Before 2023, Dr. Todd had no public disciplinary history. He was a licensed physician in good standing, and there were no known misconduct reports for over a decade of practice. This changed in 2023 when multiple patients (and fellow doctors) came forward with alarming complaints.
By mid-2023, Todd was under investigation and agreed to stop practicing medicine. In September 2023, he signed a voluntary agreement with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to cease practicing in Massachusetts (and effectively anywhere in the U.S.) pending further action.
This agreement functioned as surrendering his medical license while the allegations were being investigated. Dr. Todd is no longer employed by Brigham and Women’s or any medical facility. He is now defending himself against extensive civil litigation and related criminal charges.
Lawsuits and Allegations Against Dr. Todd
Publicly filed lawsuits against Dr. Derek Todd provide disturbing details of the alleged misconduct. In plain terms, patients accuse Dr. Todd of sexual abuse under the guise of medical care. According to the civil complaints, Dr. Todd repeatedly performed unnecessary and inappropriate examinations on patients that had no legitimate medical purpose. These include allegations that he conducted:
- Pelvic floor exams and gynecological-style exams on women who did not need them, sometimes using his hands without gloves or proper instruments. Patients describe these exams as extremely prolonged and painful, often leaving them in physical pain or even bleeding. Some women say Todd penetrated them under the false pretense of treatment.
- Breast exams on female patients (including teens) that were not medically indicated for their condition. The lawsuits assert he performed breast palpations in an “awkward” or overly intimate manner that far exceeded any standard exam.
- Rectal and testicular exams on male patients without justification. A few male plaintiffs allege that during visits for rheumatology or unrelated issues, Todd inappropriately touched their genital or rectal area under the pretext of a “physical exam.”
- Other unwarranted touching and questions. The complaints describe Todd making lewd inquiries and boundary-crossing comments. One young female patient said Dr. Todd asked her highly invasive questions about her sexual activity and personal life that had no relation to her medical care. He would also offer to act as a patient’s primary care physician even when it was not his role, seemingly to gain more private access to them.
Notably, Dr. Todd allegedly orchestrated these abuses by exploiting trust and bypassing safeguards. Investigations found that he often scheduled patients outside normal clinic hours or in isolated settings, where no chaperone (such as a nurse) was present.
Exams were sometimes done without wearing gloves or using lubricant (for pelvic exams), which is far outside standard medical protocol. Todd also used personal means of contact – texting patients from his private phone – and would ask them to follow up with him directly, blurring professional boundaries.
The scope of allegations is enormous: The acts in question reportedly span 2010 through 2023, when Dr. Todd saw thousands of patients. The 206+ victims who have joined the lawsuits range from teenagers (as young as 12) to patients in their 60s.
Many were referred to Dr. Todd for rheumatology (joint and autoimmune issues) or primary care and had no reason to suspect inappropriate behavior from a respected physician. In hindsight, multiple patients recall feeling that the exams were strange or uncomfortable, but they deferred to Dr. Todd’s authority as a doctor. Only after learning of others’ complaints did they recognize the pattern of abuse.
Institutional failures are a significant part of the lawsuits. The civil suits not only target Dr. Todd for the abuse, but also name Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, and Charles River Medical Associates (CRMA) – along with certain administrators and doctors in supervisory roles – as defendants.
The core allegation is that these institutions “knew or should have known” about Dr. Todd’s misconduct and failed to stop it. For example, the complaints cite that hospital leadership allowed Dr. Todd to continue practicing despite red flags, and did not adequately monitor his exams.
The duty to supervise is a central theme: the suits argue that the hospitals and practice group were responsible for overseeing Todd’s patient care and protecting patients from harm, which they breached by enabling Todd’s unfettered access and ignoring warnings. In legal terms, the institutions are accused of negligent hiring, supervision, and retention of Dr. Todd (i.e., keeping him on staff and allowing him to see patients even as complaints arose).
Plain-language example. In one instance, two physicians at Brigham and Women’s reported concerns about Dr. Todd in April 2023, but this was the first formal action taken. Lawsuits question why earlier signs weren’t caught – for example, if Dr. Todd was frequently doing hour-long pelvic exams in a rheumatology clinic with no nurse present, why didn’t anyone notice or intervene? The hospital defendants maintain that they acted as soon as they received complaints, but plaintiffs contend that systemic oversight failures allowed Dr. Todd’s behavior to continue unchecked for years.
Timeline of Events and Legal Developments
The following timeline summarizes the key events in the unfolding legal issue, from initial reports through civil lawsuit filings and the latest procedural developments. It includes actions at the state level (Massachusetts civil and criminal proceedings) and notable steps involving authorities and investigations. (As of this writing, no federal civil lawsuits against Dr. Todd have been reported; all known civil cases are filed in Massachusetts state courts.)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2023 | Initial complaints surface. Brigham and Women’s Hospital receives two anonymous complaints from colleagues (physicians) alleging Dr. Todd’s inappropriate exams. The hospital launched an internal investigation. Todd is directed not to perform sensitive examinations without a chaperone. |
| June 2023 | Interim action. Amid the investigation, Brigham and Women’s placed Dr. Todd on administrative leave. (Around this time, at least one alleged assault later cited in criminal charges occurred in June 2023 at the Framingham clinic.) |
| July 2023 | Termination and resignation. Facing the internal findings, Dr. Todd is terminated by BWH (he resigned under threat of firing on July 31, 2023). The hospital notifies the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the state medical board, law enforcement, and Todd’s current and former patients of the allegations. Todd’s former patients – ranging from teenagers to seniors – begin to come forward with reports of abuse. |
| August–Sept. 2023 | Regulatory action. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine opened an inquiry in early July and, by September 5, 2023, reached a Voluntary Agreement Not to Practice (VANP) with Dr. Todd. Todd formally agreed to stop practicing medicine nationwide. Meanwhile, local law enforcement (Boston Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office) and Middlesex County prosecutors initiated investigations, interviewing former patients. |
| Sept–Oct 2023 | First civil lawsuits filed. As the story becomes public (the Boston Globe first reported the allegations in October 2023), former patients begin filing civil lawsuits. The initial suits—framed as medical malpractice and sexual assault claims—are filed in Massachusetts state court in the fall of 2023, eventually involving over 100 plaintiffs by late 2023. These suits named Dr. Todd as a defendant and also implicated the hospitals and medical practices he worked for, alleging those institutions failed to supervise or stop him. |
| October 11, 2023 | Class action complaint. A Boston law firm representing many victims filed a class-action lawsuit in Suffolk County Superior Court on behalf of Dr. Todd’s former patients. (This effectively consolidates many individual claims into one proceeding.) The complaint alleges that Todd’s misconduct dates back to 2010 and continued into 2023, and it lists multiple hospitals and administrators as co-defendants for enabling the abuse. |
| Late 2023 | Growing allegations. In the weeks after the initial filing, dozens more patients contact attorneys and join the litigation. By the end of 2023, the number of alleged victims climbs well over 150. Todd’s case gained regional and national attention as an egregious example of physician sexual abuse. The civil lawsuit is assigned to a single judge in Suffolk County to manage the complex, consolidated case (captioned In re: Derrick Todd, M.D., Civ. No. 2484CV00171). |
| March 27, 2024 | Master complaint filed. A new Master Complaint is filed in Suffolk Superior Court, combining all prior lawsuits into one comprehensive pleading. This updated complaint now includes 206 plaintiffs (at that time) and unifies the allegations for efficiency. It also confirms that at least three male patients and one nonbinary patient are among the accusers, in addition to the female patients. The allegations in the master complaint mirror those of earlier filings, detailing Dr. Todd’s pattern of abuse and the negligence of the institutions (see next section for summary). The civil case then proceeds into the discovery phase, with both sides gathering evidence. |
| January 17, 2025 | Criminal indictment. While civil suits are ongoing, a Middlesex County grand jury indicts Dr. Todd on two counts of rape. These criminal charges stem from assaults on two female patients during medical exams at the Framingham clinic (Charles River Medical Associates) in December 2022 and June 2023. Todd surrenders to authorities and is arraigned, pleading not guilty to the charges. He was released on bail with orders to relinquish any remaining medical licenses. Prosecutors note that the criminal investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may follow as more incidents are examined. |
| Early 2025 | Ongoing proceedings. The civil lawsuits remain pending in the Massachusetts Superior Court, with discovery underway and no trial date set as of early 2025. The massive civil case is expected to involve testimony from dozens of victims and extensive evidence from Dr. Todd’s records and institutional files. On the criminal side, Dr. Todd awaits further pretrial proceedings (his next court appearance was scheduled for February 11, 2025). Both civil and criminal cases continue to develop, drawing public attention to patient safety and oversight in medical settings. |
Legal Rights of Survivors in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, patients have explicit legal protections regarding medical care, privacy, and bodily autonomy. These rights apply to all patients, regardless of age, gender, or medical history, and they are the foundation of the civil lawsuits now pending against Dr. Derek Todd and the institutions that employed him.
Under state law, physicians must obtain informed consent before performing any examination or procedure. Consent must be voluntary, informed, and specific to the treatment. When a doctor uses that consent to carry out unnecessary or harmful acts—particularly those involving sexual contact under the pretext of medical care—it may constitute civil sexual assault, battery, or medical negligence. Even if a patient agreed to an exam at the time, that agreement can be challenged if it was based on false information or a breach of professional duty.
Survivors in these lawsuits assert their rights under multiple civil causes of action. These include claims for intentional sexual battery, medical malpractice, and negligent supervision by hospitals and clinics. Massachusetts law allows victims to seek damages for both physical and emotional harm, as well as for the institutional failures that may have enabled the misconduct.
In addition to civil remedies, Massachusetts recognizes patients' right to file complaints with licensing boards, which can lead to disciplinary action or license suspension. In this case, the state’s Board of Registration in Medicine took action in 2023, and Dr. Todd has since agreed to stop practicing medicine.
The law provides a path to accountability through the court system for those harmed. Legal action can serve not only as a tool for compensation but also as a way to prevent similar misconduct from happening again.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Dr. Derek Todd
You can consider filing a civil lawsuit if you believe Dr. Derek Todd harmed you during a medical appointment. These cases are already moving forward in the Massachusetts state court, and additional claims may still be added.
A civil lawsuit allows you to hold Dr. Todd—and potentially the hospitals and clinics that employed him—legally accountable. Claims may include sexual assault, medical negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent supervision. Many of the current plaintiffs are pursuing multiple claims within the same lawsuit.
Filing a lawsuit typically begins with a confidential consultation with a lawyer. You’ll be asked about your medical history, your interactions with Dr. Todd, and whether you experienced any harm—physical or emotional—as a result of his care. If you decide to move forward, your attorney will draft and file a complaint with the court. This starts the legal process and joins your case with the broader litigation consolidated in Suffolk County Superior Court.
You do not need to relive the experience publicly to file a claim. Most cases are filed under protective orders to keep your identity confidential. Your legal team can guide you through the process, including evidence collection, case timelines, and court appearances.
Even if you’re unsure about filing, speaking with a lawyer can help you understand whether you may have a valid claim under current Massachusetts law.
Class Action vs. Individual Claims
The civil lawsuits against Dr. Derek Todd are being handled as part of a consolidated proceeding in the Massachusetts Superior Court. While commonly referred to as a “class action,” this legal structure is more accurately described as a mass tort or coordinated litigation involving many individual plaintiffs with similar claims.
In October 2023, a Master Complaint was filed for more than 200 former patients. Each person remains a plaintiff with their own injuries and damages, but the cases are grouped together to streamline evidence, court procedures, and discovery. This approach allows the court to handle shared legal and factual issues more efficiently, such as Dr. Todd’s conduct and the institutions’ oversight.
If you’re considering legal action, you have the option to file an individual claim and have it included in the ongoing litigation. Your case would not be absorbed into a single payout. Instead, your experience and injuries would be assessed separately. This means your potential recovery depends on the facts of your case, not on a shared settlement amount divided among all plaintiffs.
Some legal claims may eventually be resolved through a global settlement, but no class-wide agreement exists. Any future settlement would likely involve compensation based on factors such as the nature of the abuse, the emotional impact, and the level of institutional responsibility.
Filing now preserves your right to participate in any future resolution. It also gives your legal team time to document your experience, secure evidence, and ensure your voice is part of the ongoing litigation.
Statute of Limitations in Massachusetts for Medical Sexual Assault
In Massachusetts, there are time limits—called statutes of limitations—that determine how long a survivor has to file a civil lawsuit. For cases involving sexual abuse, these rules are more flexible than in other types of claims, primarily when the harm occurred in a healthcare setting.
Under Massachusetts law, adult survivors of sexual assault generally have three years from the date of the incident to file a civil claim. However, in many cases, that clock does not start running until the person discovers—or reasonably should have discovered—that the conduct was abusive. This rule is especially important in cases like Dr. Todd’s, where many patients say they only realized years later that his exams were unnecessary or inappropriate.
For survivors who were minors at the time of the abuse, the statute of limitations typically does not begin until their 18th birthday. That means someone who was a teenager during treatment may still have time to bring a claim, even if the exams happened years ago.
Because deadlines can vary based on your specific facts, it’s essential to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. They can help determine whether your claim is valid under current Massachusetts law.
Potential Compensation for Survivors of Dr. Derek Todd
Survivors of sexual abuse by a healthcare provider may be entitled to recover financial compensation through a civil lawsuit. In the case against Dr. Derek Todd, former patients seek damages for physical, emotional, and economic harm.
Compensation may include:
- Medical costs for any treatment related to the abuse, including physical injuries, infections, or complications caused by improper exams.
- Therapy and counseling expenses for psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.
- Lost income for time missed from work or loss of employment due to the emotional impact of the abuse.
- Pain and suffering, which account for emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and the long-term effects of the abuse on your life and relationships.
- Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the court finds that the conduct was especially harmful or intentional. These damages are meant to punish wrongdoing and deter similar behavior in the future.
Each person’s experience is unique, and so is the compensation to which they may be entitled. The law allows survivors to present evidence of how the abuse affected their lives and to seek recovery tailored to those individual harms.
Even if you’re unsure whether your case would qualify, a consultation with a sexual abuse attorney can help clarify what types of damages may be available based on your circumstances.
What to Expect in the Legal Process
If you decide to pursue a civil lawsuit against Dr. Derek Todd or the institutions that employed him, your case will follow a process designed to uncover the facts and determine accountability. While every case is different, most follow a general timeline.
The first step is an initial consultation, where you share your experience privately with a lawyer. If your claim moves forward, your attorney will file a legal complaint in court. From there, your case will likely be included in the broader litigation underway in Suffolk County Superior Court.
Once filed, the case enters discovery, where both sides gather evidence. This may include reviewing medical records, taking depositions, and consulting with experts. You may be asked to provide additional details, but your legal team will handle the communication and protect your privacy.
Most civil cases do not go to trial. Instead, they are often resolved through settlement negotiations. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case could proceed to a trial where you and other witnesses may be called to testify.
Your attorney will guide you at each step, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you are informed about what’s happening in your case.
Confidentiality and Support During a Sex Abuse Case
For many survivors, privacy is a top concern. Civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse often involve sensitive details that are difficult to share. The legal process is designed to protect your identity and limit unnecessary exposure.
If you choose to file a lawsuit against Dr. Derek Todd, your legal team can request confidentiality protection from the court. In many cases, plaintiffs are identified by initials or pseudonyms in public filings. The court may also issue protective orders to shield certain records or testimony from public release.
You do not have to speak publicly to pursue a claim. Most proceedings happen behind closed doors, and your attorney will handle all communication with the court, opposing counsel, and the media, if necessary.
Beyond legal protections, support is available throughout the process. Many survivors benefit from working with trauma-informed attorneys who understand the emotional toll of recounting abuse. Depending on your needs, your legal team can also help connect you with qualified mental health professionals or victim support services.
Taking legal action does not mean you have to go through it alone. The process is designed to support your recovery—not retraumatize you—and help you regain a sense of control.
How Our Attorneys Help Survivors of Medical Sexual Abuse
Legal action after abuse by a medical professional requires careful handling. Survivors need more than just legal experience—they need clear communication, emotional sensitivity, and a process that prioritizes their well-being.
Our experienced medical sexual abuse attorneys have worked with survivors of physician misconduct, including cases involving invasive exams disguised as medical treatment. We understand how difficult it is to come forward. Many clients we work with delayed action for months—or years—because they doubted themselves or didn’t think they had a case. We’re here to answer your questions, not to pressure you.
We begin by listening. During a confidential consultation, we’ll talk through your experiences and explain your legal options. If we move forward, we will handle everything from court filings to record requests so you don’t have to manage the process alone. We also take steps to protect your identity in public filings and maintain privacy wherever possible.
Our team works on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs. You don’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
We also stay in close contact with the legal developments in the ongoing case against Dr. Todd. If you decide to file a claim, we ensure your case is correctly positioned within the broader litigation and advocate for your individual needs throughout.
If you’re considering legal action or need more information, Lawsuit Legal News is here to help you take the next step on your terms.
Don't wait any longer, call 866-535-9515 or submit your case for review today!
Where You Assaulted by Dr. Todd? Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation
If you believe Dr. Derek Todd harmed you, you don’t have to make decisions alone. A confidential legal consultation can help you understand whether you may have a claim and what your next steps might be—without any pressure to move forward.
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