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Lawsuits Filed Against Dr. Fabio Ortega – Abused Victims May Soon Be Receiving Significant Compensation

Were you or a loved one a patient of Dr. Fabio Ortega in Chicago?

Were you or a loved one harassed by Dr. Ortega or felt uncomfortable during an exam with him?

If so, you are not alone, and you may be eligible for significant compensation.

Below, you can learn more and complete our 60-second evaluation to see if your case qualifies.

Dr. Fabio Ortega’s Civil Investigation

An extensive civil investigation into former gynecologist Dr. Fabio Ortega is underway. 

Ortega, who no longer holds a medical license nor is able to practice medicine as a gynecologist, did serve as an OB/GYN in the Chicago area, including, but not limited to, Cook County, Skokie, Lincolnwood, and other Chicago-area communities.

In the most recent years leading to the investigation, Ortega was a healthcare provider in the Chicago area at NorthShore University Health System and Swedish Covenant Hospital. 

In 2013, the court filings allege, a patient complained to NorthShore about Ortega’s behavior during a postpartum exam. 

In 2014, another patient complained to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which licenses and disciplines physicians. 

From 2013 to 2017, at least four more patients complained that Ortega made them uncomfortable, and at least one reported that he had sexually assaulted her.

A recent complaint states that even after NorthShore was aware that Skokie police were investigating his conduct in 2017, NorthShore allowed Ortega to keep sexually assaulting patients.

According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation,

Ortega’s medical license was suspended in 2018 for “engaging in sexual misconduct with a patient of his practice.”

Ortega was placed on electronic monitoring in May 2021.

In October 2021, he pleaded guilty to the criminal sexual assault of two women and has served prison time for criminal sexual abuse offenses. 

The judge sentenced Ortega, 75, to three years at the Illinois Department of Corrections in each of his two cases. 

Obstetrics and gynecology patients of Dr. Ortega have filed complaints of sexual misconduct and abuse during exams, as well as similar accusations from other women who have sued him. 

Filings from the Cook County Circuit Court allege that NorthShore may have allowed Ortega to see female patients without a chaperone and allowed the physician’s abuse to continue even as complaints made directly to the hospital stacked up.

Because of this, victims may be entitled to compensation, even if the abuse took place years ago.

Victims and survivors of sexual abuse suffer damages such as missed work, loss of income, medical bills for treatment, therapy, counseling, and more.

Lawsuits Against Dr. Ortega

Two aggravated sexual criminal abuse charges from 2021, involving two separate women, in Cook County Circuit Court stemmed from incidents in 2017 and 2016, in which the women said that he sexually abused them during exams.

Both women said Ortega asked them inappropriate questions and then touched them inappropriately.

In April 2023, Northshore settled a $35 million lawsuit against Ortega for medical malpractice during labor and delivery.

Dozens of patients have already sued over Ortega’s abuse and medical malpractice.

And, according to a recent complaint, “NorthShore and Swedish choose profits over patient safety” by allowing him to keep practicing. 

A civil lawsuit alleges that NorthShore permitted Ortega to retire rather than fire him, even after the allegations.

Ortega was “removed from patient” care at some point in 2017, indicted in 2018, and pleaded guilty in October 2021 to the aggravated criminal sexual assault charges in exchange for a sentence of three years in prison and a lifetime of sex offender registration. 

His medical license was revoked in 2021, and he went on to serve about a year behind bars before he was released.

NorthShore and Swedish Covenant Hospital, have been sued by dozens of patients who allege he repeatedly engaged in sexual assaults disguised as medically necessary care.

The lawsuits allege that Ortega’s conduct included repeating the same “broad range of techniques, without a medical need or purpose, for his own sexual gratification”—including asking women invasive personal details about their sex lives and fantasies during unnecessary breast, genital, and rectal exams; prescribing “Kegels” as an excuse to touch patients sexually; performing un-gloved exams and attempting to cause sexual arousal; trying to arrange “quid pro quo” agreements like exchanging medical records for coffee dates; and grooming, or establishing trust, by calling patients outside of office hours or scheduling unnecessary appointments, and more.

It’s common for victims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment to discount the fact that they’ve been hurt by a person that they trust, such as a doctor, or they might feel ashamed or embarrassed and scared to tell others about the abuse. 

If you or a loved one have experienced sexual assault, unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate sexual touching, or indecent exposure, you or your loved one should receive help and seek justice.

Although we know that even 7-figure compensation can’t erase a life-altering event, or heal the pain, it can at least help reduce the financial stress and help hold offenders and their employers accountable to help prevent future abuse.

What To Do Next

If you or a loved one were harassed by Dr. Ortega, felt uncomfortable during an exam with him, or were inappropriately touched, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. 

In general, reaching out to a legal representative as soon as possible greatly improves your chances of successfully proving your claim. 

Over time, memories can fade, witnesses may relocate, and crucial details become less clear. 

But you shouldn’t just contact any law firm that claims to handle sexual abuse lawsuits. It’s important that you get help from a law firm that is highly experienced in sexual abuse lawsuits and has a team of experts to help you.

We’re here to help survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault seek justice. 

How To Get A Free Consultation With Law Firms That Are Highly Experienced In Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Would you like to get a free consultation with a law firm that is highly experienced in sexual abuse lawsuits?

We have a nationwide network of highly-rated attorneys who are here to help you.

To get a free case review and see if you qualify for a free consultation with one of our partner law firms, just tap the button below.

Once you speak with one of our partner law firms, they can immediately start helping you with the following:

  • Serving you and your family with empathy and compassion
  • Building a case for why you or your family should receive a seven- or eight-figure settlement
  • Taking care of as many legal and medical issues as possible so you can reduce your stress and focus on healing

To get a free case review and see if you qualify for a free consultation with one of our partner law firms, just tap the button below.