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\nTwo ladies mentioned in a federal class motion lawsuit they had been sexually assaulted by a former gynecologist who labored for the College of California, Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
\nThe lawsuit states Dr. James Heaps sexually assaulted the ladies and made sexually inappropriate feedback throughout their appointments. The swimsuit additionally alleges that UCLA failed to guard Heaps’ sufferers and acted negligently.<\/p>\n
\nThe category motion lawsuit is the newest lawsuit to be filed towards Heaps and UCLA, although others have been pursued by means of state courtroom.<\/p>\n
\nHeaps has been criminally charged with the sexual battery of two sufferers, however he denies any wrongdoing. He has pleaded not responsible and is scheduled to return to courtroom Aug. 29.<\/p>\n
\nAs of July 31, 130 former sufferers had reached out to UCLA with “considerations about their interactions” with Heaps, UCLA spokeswoman Rhonda Curry mentioned. A further 161 former sufferers expressed help for the physician.<\/p>\n
\nElizabeth Kramer, an lawyer for the plaintiffs, mentioned the lawsuit now wants a choose’s permission to maneuver ahead as a category motion case. She mentioned this swimsuit might doubtlessly assist ladies who had been victimized however can not file their very own, separate lawsuits.<\/p>\n
\nCurry didn’t instantly have a remark in regards to the class motion case Monday.<\/p>\n
\nHeaps’ lawyer, Tracy Inexperienced, mentioned some ladies might not perceive what constitutes commonplace pelvic and medical breast medical examinations.<\/p>\n
\n“Most of the allegations within the civil lawsuit are claiming that commonplace medical exams are misconduct or sexual,” she mentioned in an electronic mail.<\/p>\n
\nThe lawsuit was filed final Tuesday towards Heaps, the college system’s regents and different unnamed defendants in U.S. District Court docket within the Central District of California.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n