"We are determined to end the cycle of institutional abuse. Northwestern can no longer hide from their public-facing elitism and secret coverups," Tamara Holder, an attorney representing the plaintiff, said in a statement to Crain's.
Settled: Jane Doe 3 v NorthShore University HealthSystem & Fabio Ortega
Tamara Holder her team of brilliant lawyers have settled the case of Jane Doe 3 v NorthShore University HealthSystem & Fabio Ortega.
For more information about the case, please see the following YouTube video:
Please call 312-440-9000 or email intake@tamaraholder.com if you have any information about Northwestern, the Athletic Department, Derrick Gragg, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, or any other issues related to sexual abuse in education.
In an ideal world, everyone would feel completely safe and comfortable going to work, but this isn’t always the case. Typically, when we think of sexual misconduct, we think of a supervisor or coworker being the perpetrator, but what happens when the aggressor is a nonemployee? To help you understand what your employer’s obligations are and what your rights are as an employee, let’s review what third-party sexual misconduct is.
In the eyes of the law, third-party sexual misconduct occurs when a nonemployee of the company sexually harasses an employee. This could be a vendor, a delivery person, a client, or a customer who interacts with the employee and engages in sexual misconduct. The critical distinction is that the employer did not hire the perpetrator, nor are they affiliated with the company. They may provide a service for the company or work with the company in some way, but the courts would still consider this third-party sexual misconduct.
If the person isn’t an employee of your job, is your employer obligated to take any action? If your employer gets made aware of the sexual misconduct, it is up to them to ensure they do not hire that person’s services or they bar the client from returning. If you want to file a complaint, you should take it to your employer, and it is their duty to investigate. However, suppose the employer knew about the incident and took no corrective action, or had reason to believe that investigating the sexual misconduct was a risk. In that case, your employer can get held legally liable.
Now that you know what third-party sexual misconduct is, what should you do next? If you’ve filed a complaint with your employer, they should attempt to separate you from the perpetrator. However, if your employer doesn’t attempt to take corrective action or keep you safe, you should seek legal representation immediately. This is especially pertinent if the perpetrator continues to harass you. In this case, the workplace would become hostile, giving you more ground to take legal action.
If you aren’t sure whether your experience counts as third-party sexual harassment or your employer refuses to take action, contact The Law Firm of Tamara N. Holder today. We’ll put you in contact with our knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated sexual harassment attorneys so you can get the legal counsel and representation you deserve.
We are seeking information about Dr. Oscar Mendez. Dr. Mendez was suspended from practicing medicine, and then reinstated in 2012. If you were a patient of Dr. Oscar Mendez, please contact us for a confidential call:
312-440-9000
contact@tamaraholder.com
Jane Doe 46 has filed a lawsuit against gynecologist Fabio Ortega in Cook County Circuit Court.
In October 2021, Ortega pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two female NorthShore patients and was sentenced to three-years in prison. He served one-year and was released on October 28, 2022.
Despite Ortega pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two patients, Chicago-based hospital groups NorthShore and Swedish continue to defend their institutions and Ortega from liability, claiming that their trusting female patients are either confused or lying; or, if the sexual assaults did happen, the hospitals are not responsible for Ortega’s abuses. One woman alleges that Ortega sexually assaulted her at Swedish when she was just 14 years old.
According to numerous lawsuits filed by attorney Tamara Holder, NorthShore knew about Ortega, and yet it continued to allow him to work with unfettered access to female patients. The lawsuits also allege that even after NorthShore became aware of a criminal investigation into Ortega, in early 2017, it continued to allow him to see women behind closed doors and sexually assault them. Further, the lawsuits allege that NorthShore failed to warn its patients that other women had accused Ortega of sexually perverted conduct, and failed to fully investigate its patients’ complaints.
Ms. Holder currently represents 7 female patients against Swedish, 16 female patients against NorthShore, and 2 female patients against Ortega alone. They intend to file more lawsuits...
If you have information about Ortega or NorthShore, please call us at 312-440-9000.
The Law Firm of Tamara N. Holder, LLC, is a boutique practice founded in 2005 by Chicago-based attorney Tamara Holder. The firm is focused on cases that address institutional abuse, from sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the workplace to sexual assault and abuse. For more information, visit tamaraholder.com
Jane Doe 45 has filed a lawsuit against gynecologist Fabio Ortega in Cook County Circuit Court.
In October 2021, Ortega pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two female NorthShore patients and was sentenced to three-years in prison. He served one-year and was released on October 28, 2022.
Despite Ortega pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two patients, Chicago-based hospital groups NorthShore and Swedish continue to defend their institutions and Ortega from liability, claiming that their trusting female patients are either confused or lying; or, if the sexual assaults did happen, the hospitals are not responsible for Ortega’s abuses. One woman alleges that Ortega sexually assaulted her at Swedish when she was just 14 years old.
According to numerous lawsuits filed by attorney Tamara Holder, NorthShore knew about Ortega, and yet it continued to allow him to work with unfettered access to female patients. The lawsuits also allege that even after NorthShore became aware of a criminal investigation into Ortega, in early 2017, it continued to allow him to see women behind closed doors and sexually assault them. Further, the lawsuits allege that NorthShore failed to warn its patients that other women had accused Ortega of sexually perverted conduct, and failed to fully investigate its patients’ complaints.
Ms. Holder currently represents 7 female patients against Swedish, 16 female patients against NorthShore, and 2 female patients against Ortega alone. They intend to file more lawsuits in the coming days.
If you have information about Ortega or NorthShore, please call us at 312-440-9000.
The Law Firm of Tamara N. Holder, LLC, is a boutique practice founded in 2005 by Chicago-based attorney Tamara Holder. The firm is focused on cases that address institutional abuse, from sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the workplace to sexual assault and abuse. For more information, visit tamaraholder.com
Doctors go through years of rigorous training so that their patients can feel safe and comfortable putting their bodies and health in their hands. This vulnerability and balance of power is something most doctors are careful not to cross.
Some of the situations a patient may find themselves in can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, which is, unfortunately, part of some scenarios and procedures. But how can you tell when these uncomfortable situations breach the boundary of professionalism? To help you identify what you’re feeling, here are five signs that your doctor is behaving inappropriately.
While there are situations and procedures that may require you to be nude, you should always be able to cover yourself. Additionally, you should never have to undress unnecessarily—follow and trust your gut. If you go into a doctor’s appointment complaining about an ingrown toenail, you wouldn’t expect them to make you remove your pants. Also, you should never have procedures involving genitalia or breasts that are unrelated to what you’re having problems with.
Unfortunately, many patients don’t have the educational background to tell whether a procedure is unnecessary or not. In these cases, ask your doctor what the procedure is for and why. If they give you a vague answer, become irritated, or outright ignore you, this is a cause for serious concern. It’s part of their job to ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible, educated, and informed.
Some fully professional touches may still feel uncomfortable, but they should never make you feel unsafe. Remember that doctors have received training to touch patients in a way that is far from romantic, flirty, or sexual. Furthermore, any touches with the intent to sexually arouse a patient is illegal, unprofessional, and inappropriate.
Unless they are commenting on the appearance of a wound, injury, or site procedure, a doctor should never comment on your appearance. They may compliment a nice shirt or dress, but even in some situations, that can still be inappropriate. Comments about your body of sexual or cruel nature are inappropriate. Long states at your clothed or nude body that are unnecessary to the medical documentation, procedure, or exam are also unacceptable.
The most blaring sign that your doctor is behaving inappropriately is if they attempt to form a romantic relationship. This can start with a doctor trying to become more friendly, asking for your personal social media, or sending you messages unrelated to your medical situation. While you may become close with your doctor and even become friends, it’s wrong for them to pursue an unwanted relationship.
If you or a loved one feel that you have been sexually abused, harassed, or assaulted by a medical professional, contact The Law Firm of Tamara N Holder. We can put you in contact with a patient sexual assault lawyer who will take care of your case and provide you with the representation you deserve.
Jane Doe 41 has filed a lawsuit against gynecologist Fabio Ortega and NorthShore University HealthSystem, in Cook County Circuit Court.
In October 2021, Ortega pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two female NorthShore patients and was sentenced to three-years in prison. He served one-year and was released on October 28, 2022.
Despite Ortega pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two patients, Chicago-based hospital groups NorthShore and Swedish continue to defend their institutions and Ortega from liability, claiming that their trusting female patients are either confused or lying; or, if the sexual assaults did happen, the hospitals are not responsible for Ortega’s abuses. One woman alleges that Ortega sexually assaulted her at Swedish when she was just 14 years old.
According to numerous lawsuits filed by attorney Tamara Holder, NorthShore knew about Ortega, and yet it continued to allow him to work with unfettered access to female patients. The lawsuits also allege that even after NorthShore became aware of a criminal investigation into Ortega, in early 2017, it continued to allow him to see women behind closed doors and sexually assault them. Further, the lawsuits allege that NorthShore failed to warn its patients that other women had accused Ortega of sexually perverted conduct, and failed to fully investigate its patients’ complaints.
Ms. Holder currently represents 7 female patients against Swedish and 15 female patients against NorthShore.
If you have information about Ortega or NorthShore, please call us at 312-440-9000.
The Law Firm of Tamara N. Holder, LLC, is a boutique practice founded in 2005 by Chicago-based attorney Tamara Holder. The firm is focused on cases that address institutional abuse, from sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the workplace to sexual assault and abuse. For more information, visit tamaraholder.com
We spearheaded the case against Fabio Ortega. Since 2019, we have filed and settled dozens of cases against Fabio Ortega, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Swedish Covenant (now collectively Endeavor). We represent HUNDREDS of women who allege they were sexually abused by Ortega.
UPDATED April 2, 2024: Tamara Holder, Johanna Raimond and Romanucci and Blandin have filed three additional lawsuits for Jane Does 59, 71 and 71.
On January 1, Jane Doe 44 has filed a lawsuit against gynecologist Fabio Ortega and Swedish Covenant Health, in Cook County Circuit Court.
In October 2021, Ortega pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two female NorthShore patients and was sentenced to three-years in prison. He served one-year and was released on October 28, 2022.
Despite Ortega pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two patients, Chicago-based hospital groups NorthShore and Swedish continue to defend their institutions and Ortega from liability, claiming that their trusting female patients are either confused or lying; or, if the sexual assaults did happen, the hospitals are not responsible for Ortega’s abuses. One woman alleges that Ortega sexually assaulted her at Swedish when she was just 14 years old.
According to numerous lawsuits filed by attorney Tamara Holder, NorthShore knew about Ortega, and yet it continued to allow him to work with unfettered access to female patients. The lawsuits also allege that even after NorthShore became aware of a criminal investigation into Ortega, in early 2017, it continued to allow him to see women behind closed doors and sexually assault them. Further, the lawsuits allege that NorthShore failed to warn its patients that other women had accused Ortega of sexually perverted conduct, and failed to fully investigate its patients’ complaints.
Ms. Holder and her team currently represents nearly 200 female patients against Swedish and NorthShore. They intend to file dozens more lawsuits in the coming days.
If you have information about Ortega or NorthShore, please call us at 312-440-9000.
The Law Firm of Tamara N. Holder, LLC, is a boutique practice founded in 2005 by Chicago-based attorney Tamara Holder. The firm is focused on cases that address institutional abuse, from sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the workplace to sexual assault and abuse. For more information, visit tamaraholder.com
