University of California reaches $243.6 million settlement after former UCLA gynecologist allegedly sexually abused hundreds of women

Lawyer John Manly, at podium, is joined by survivors and fellow attorneys representing greater than 150 survivors of former UCLA gynecologist/oncologist James Heaps in lawsuits in opposition to UCLA, as a $243-million settlement is introduced throughout a information convention on the regulation places of work of Manly, Stewart & Finaldi in Irvine, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Pictured from left are attorneys Haley Aanestad, Courtney Pendry, Sharyl Garza, survivor Kara Cagle, lawyer John Manly, survivor Julie Wallach and lawyer Jane Reilley.

Leonard Ortiz, The Orange County Register by way of Related Press

The College of California system reached a $243.6 million settlement with greater than 200 ladies who alleged they had been sexually abused by former UCLA obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. James Heaps, per NPR.

The 203 ladies mentioned that they had been groped or in any other case abused by Dr. James Heaps over his 35-year lengthy profession. The go well with acknowledged that the college ignored the complaints for many years and even intentionally hid the abuse.

UCLA in an announcement mentioned: “The conduct alleged to have been dedicated by Heaps is reprehensible and opposite to the college’s values,” per NBC Information.

• “We categorical our gratitude to the courageous people who got here ahead, and hope this settlement is one step towards offering therapeutic and closure for the plaintiffs concerned.”

In line with CNN, Heaps’ lawyer, Leonard Levine, in a earlier assertion mentioned, “Heaps has maintained his innocence ever since he was first accused.”

A plantiffs’ lawyer mentioned: “This historic settlement permits these courageous ladies to attain their litigation objectives of accountability and compensation, paving the trail for his or her continued therapeutic.”

• “As an alternative of unnecessarily inflicting additional harm upon these survivors, the UC Regents made the choice to resolve these claims for cheap worth, and I want to acknowledge these efforts. This could function a mannequin for different universities who're dealing with the identical type of claims.”

Final yr, the College of Southern California agreed to a $852 million settlement with greater than 700 ladies over one other campus gynecologist, Dr. George Tyndall, in keeping with USA Right this moment.

Extra just lately, the College of Michigan agreed to a $490 million settlement with greater than 1,000 individuals who mentioned they had been sexually assaulted by the varsity’s sports activities physician, Dr. Robert Anderson.