A United States jury has awarded $14m to three women who were sexually assaulted by their doctor and who subsequently sued him and the practice, accusing it of ignoring his behaviour.
The trio’s attorney said they were happy with the verdict, but still angry that colleagues turned a blind eye to his molestation.
Dr Carl Renner (73), was stripped of his licence in April 2021 after pleading guilty to criminal sexual contact, admitting that he inappropriately and intentionally touched six female patients under his care, court records show.
He had been arrested in 2019 after an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the police, after a woman had accused him of assaulting her during a routine visit. News12 reports that more victims were subsequently found after further investigations.
“He was trying to get into my underwear,” one said. “I had to fight him off.”
“He would kiss me forcefully and put his tongue in my mouth,” said another. “I had gone in for a chest cold and ended up having a pelvic exam with no explanation as to why.”
Years of abuse
The three patients had sued Renner and Osler Medical Group, alleging it was made aware of his conduct as far back as 2008 and should have done something about it.
NJ.com reports that attorney Kate Carballo had filed lawsuits on behalf of the three, naming Renner and Osler Medical Group, as defendants.
The seven-member jury found Renner liable for 55% to 60% of the damages for assaulting the women, while Osler Medical Group was found liable for 40% to 45% for negligence.
In their lawsuits, the women alleged Renner sexually abused them during medical visits under the guise of treating them.
One said the abuse began in 1999 when she was 13, including invasive exams and inappropriate touching under the pretence of routine care. She alleged the abuse continued until 2010.
Two others alleged Renner assaulted them days apart in May 2019 after years of inappropriate contact, including sexually harassing remarks.
The lawsuits claim Osler Medical Group failed to act on the victims’ complaints, despite signs Renner was unfit to treat patients.
One young victim claimed she told a nurse practitioner at Osler that she was uncomfortable seeing Renner, but the nurse practitioner did not ask follow-up questions or investigate her claims.
The jury awarded $4.5m in damages and an additional $1.5m for future medical expenses to a woman who said she was sexually assaulted after six years of the doctor’s inappropriate behaviour.
A second victim was awarded $3m in damages and another $1m in future medical expenses. She had claimed she was sexually assaulted by Renner and that Osler failed to investigate previous complaints about him lodged by other patients.
A third victim was awarded $3.5m for “pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.” The woman’s husband was awarded $500 000 for the loss of his wife’s services and consortium.
While the total amount awarded reached $14m, the victims’ attorney said with prejudgment interest the total award is closer to $15.5m.
Renner was sentenced to five years of probation and given credit for 13 days served in prison after his arrest, according to court documents.
NJ.com article – Jury awards $14M to victims of N.J. doctor’s sexual abuse (Open access)
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