LOS ANGELES – Dozens of women have now filed suit against the former gynecologist at the University of Southern California (USC), Dr. George Tyndall, in a mounting class action naming the university, its board of trustees and Dr. Tyndall responsible for decades of sexual violation and molestation of female patients, according to Hagens Berman.

The amended complaint, filed June 13, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California adds six plaintiffs, totaling 27 women who have stepped forward to tell their stories in the lawsuit seeking to hold Dr. Tyndall and USC accountable for the decades-long systemic sexual violations that occurred on USC’s campus and the university’s cover-up.

If you were in any way violated or treated inappropriately by USC’s Dr. Tyndall during a medical examination, find out more about the lawsuit and your rights.

The complaint details the experiences of plaintiffs who endured feeling “sexualized and objectified” by Dr. Tyndall for their ethnic backgrounds, and “hopeless and humiliated” by his invasive and inappropriate touching. Plaintiffs reported that he made them undress in the room with him present, and subjected his patients to unnecessary digital penetration. Tyndall also asked deeply personal and invasive questions about patients’ sexual activity and sexuality, making them feel they were present “for his entertainment and exploitation.”

“Dr. Tyndall’s actions and demeanor were vulgar, abusive and completely unacceptable,” said Elizabeth Fegan, partner at Hagens Berman representing the proposed class of women against USC and Dr. Tyndall.

The lawsuit also shows repeated behavior by Dr. Tyndall to complicate visits, including his requesting unnecessary return visits for simple prescription refills, repeated and unwarranted pelvic exams, and actions that made the plaintiffs feel distressed, violated, objectified and in many instances, avoid seeking further gynecological care.

“The women who sought care from Dr. Tyndall trusted him and USC to uphold basic promises to protect them and because they needed medical care,” Fegan added. “Dr. Tyndall chose to violate the very people seeking his help, those who would be most vulnerable, and what’s worse, USC knew about it.”

The lawsuit states Dr. Tyndall was expressly indecent with his patients who were non-heterosexual, harassing them with specific questions about their sex lives.

“Jane Doe C.L. found Dr. Tyndall’s line of questioning appalling,” the suit states, adding, “She was highly disturbed by his interest in details about her sex life and sexual preferences. It seemed to her as though Dr. Tyndall was asking questions about her sexual orientation for his own amusement and curiosity.”

The lawsuit accuses USC of brazen negligence in failing to stop his violation of female students. Dr. Tyndall oversaw tens of thousands of female patients during his time at USC, and the university knew of his behavior since at least the 1990s but failed to take action. According to the complaint, ultimately, in 2017, the university began termination proceedings. However, USC did not contact law enforcement, the attorney general or the medical licensing board, nor did USC inform Tyndall’s patients.

“On all accounts, USC failed to provide its female students with safe, appropriate and professional healthcare,” Fegan said.

Seek Help

Your protection is Hagens Berman’s top priority. We welcome any information, and those who contact our firm may remain anonymous in their potential case. Hagens Berman will request that the Court permit our clients to proceed anonymously as a Jane Doe. Our attorneys have experience in protecting plaintiffs who wish to remain anonymous, both as whistleblowers and as survivors of sexual misconduct.

Attorneys at Hagens Berman achieved a nationwide sexual harassment settlement on behalf of 16,000 women and also tried the first ever sexual harassment case in Washington state. The firm represents multiple women on behalf of a class of all victims who were harassed or otherwise assaulted by Harvey Weinstein, seeking to hold him and his co-conspirators accountable for a years-long pattern of sexual harassment and cover-ups.

Recent news headlines have brought these heinous acts to the forefront, and many victims have bravely stepped forward to tell their stories. Hagens Berman continues this fight, working to help achieve justice for those who have been victim to sexual violation, and enforce systemic change. Tell us about your case.

# # #

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with ten offices across the country. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at https://www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

Media Contact
Ashley Klann
[email protected]
206-268-9363