zella
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by zella on Oct 1, 2014 4:04:52 GMT
My sister was assaulted at work today. She is a respiratory therapist. A doctor was angry at her for asking for a chart that was on his desk (he wasn't using it). He walked over to her and put his hands around her throat and wouldn't let go. No one saw this, but two people heard her yelling. She is very traumatized right now. She is supposed to work tomorrow. The same dr will be there. She says she can avoid him. Right after the incident she wrote a description of what occurred and handed it in to a supervisor (her actual boss was out sick).
I'm looking for any advice. What does she need to do?
10/4
So lots has happened already. The doctor has been suspended from the hospital, and also suspended by the group he works for. By the next day corporate attorneys and investigators were already on the case. My sister has received nothing but support and sympathy from her employers.
Someone overheard the doctor's words. Not only did he say, "no one saw," but he followed that up with, "and those who did are cheering for me." Gives me the creeps! My sister had already filed a police report, but was holding off on requesting that charges be filed; after hearing this she went ahead. So he should be arrested soon (and that may even have happened already).
The day after the incident the guy was at the hospital (this is before he was suspended). He saw my sister and tried to talk to her, but she insisted this occur in front of one of the hospital heads. He kept saying how sorry he was, and how he never meant to hurt her or scare her. He stopped short of saying, "yes, I did this." As my sister was describing the apology, I told her that it sounded like the way some abusers are, swearing that they are sorry and won't do it again, rather than that he was truly sorry.
It's been very stressful, but luckily my sister is off work for the next 4 to 6 weeks due to a previously scheduled surgery and recovery. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to this thread.
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Post by k8smom on Oct 1, 2014 4:09:44 GMT
I am not in HR, but did get a HR cert when I completed my undergrad and let me tell you that what you've described is assault per the US Dept of Labor. She needs to be brave and report this ASAP, for the sake of all possible victims to come including herself!
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mountaingirl
Junior Member
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Post by mountaingirl on Oct 1, 2014 4:12:47 GMT
I would show up at her bosses door first thing in the AM, then hr's, then keep going up the ladder until he is placed on leave. I would not open myself up to that happening ever again. To her or anyone.
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
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Post by georgiapea on Oct 1, 2014 4:13:52 GMT
That's terrible. Sure sounds like assault to me. Is there some sort of protocol for obtaining a chart that another person has? Are you supposed to send an email? Really, that Dr. seems a little unbalanced.
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traceydenn
Shy Member
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Post by traceydenn on Oct 1, 2014 4:19:15 GMT
She should also report thie incident to the state licensing board.
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Post by sacteach on Oct 1, 2014 4:20:15 GMT
I would make sure that she takes pictures if there is any visible evidence. It's likely too late since it happened during the day but if she had any finger marks, indents from nails, etc.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Oct 1, 2014 4:21:01 GMT
I found out a little more. This doctor has been written up before for throwing a chart at a nurse. Today he was also throwing things at people's heads. When he had his hands round my sister's throat, she yelled out "are you seeing this?", hoping someone was. The dr responded with "No one saw, no one saw." How creepy is that? But two people heard her say that.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Oct 1, 2014 4:22:50 GMT
He didn't leave any marks; I did ask her that. Good idea about the licensing board (I do wonder if that kind of offense could lead to losing a license. . . or at least probation).
As far as taking charts: it was on his desk, he wasn't using it, she asked for it then took it. My sister's super polite, so I know she wouldn't have done anything wrong or rude.
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traceydenn
Shy Member
Posts: 49
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Post by traceydenn on Oct 1, 2014 4:22:59 GMT
Seeing the new info, definitely a report to the Board is needed.
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traceydenn
Shy Member
Posts: 49
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Post by traceydenn on Oct 1, 2014 4:25:10 GMT
He probably won't lose his license, but would probably be disciplined.
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Post by crittsmom on Oct 1, 2014 4:45:05 GMT
She also needs to report this to the Medical Staff office (or whoever is in charge of the physicians), also to the Chief of Staff.
Also, she needs to make an incident report and get the names of the witnesses. All of this needs to been done NOW.
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Post by chaosisapony on Oct 1, 2014 4:46:00 GMT
He walked over to her and put his hands around her throat and wouldn't let go. When I first read this I pictured him holding on really tight, like he was trying to choke her. But that kind of force would have left marks. Since she didn't have any marks and no one saw the incident I bet it is going to be hard to get him reprimanded in some way. I hope she doesn't give up though, that kind of behavior can not be tolerated. |
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Post by ntsf on Oct 1, 2014 4:57:00 GMT
why didn't she call the police? she should go file a report..assault is a crime.
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Post by tinydogmafia on Oct 1, 2014 5:04:50 GMT
why didn't she call the police? she should go file a report..assault is a crime. Yes, yes, yes!!!! I am a nurse, and let me tell you what, if a doctor ever did that to me I'd call the police immediately. He is a health care provider. People trust him with their lives. And he seems to have no respect for subordinates. So what does that say for how he feels about patients? What kind of care is he providing? I'd call the police and I'd make a report. Just so there is a record. And I'd take it all the way up the chain of command. In fact I would not have left work until both of those things were done. Your sister is walking into a hostile work environment tomorrow. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:36:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 5:19:59 GMT
I think she should take it as far as she possibly can at work, but also call the police and ask their advice. It's not too late since it just happened today, and they can decide if there's nothing to report or nothing to go on, or what she should do if he escalates again at work.
It seems fairly clear that her employer is not competent to protect staff from this person, and reporting someone up the chain to a licensing board takes a long time. She needs a plan of action now.
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Post by smokey2471 on Oct 1, 2014 5:23:52 GMT
Police report. I'd also if it is legal contact people that used to work there. Chances are she is not his first victim.
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smginaz Suzy
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Je suis desole.
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Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Oct 1, 2014 5:57:37 GMT
Sometimes people do not complain or file charges because they believe that the situation is simply "he said, she said" and nothing can or will happen without actual witnesses.
Ultimately, with an effective investigation, that is not always true. When a complaint is received, other things that can and are considered are motive and credibility. In your sister's case, if this doctor has had a history of reactiveness and other kinds of bad behavior, that can affect his credibility with his version of what occurred. In the end, he may deny everything, but if he is not credible, and others can speak to other incidents where he has acted badly, your sister may be able to successfully substantiate her claims. Would she have a motive to see this doc get in trouble? No, she is considered even-tempered and thoughtful, and there is no reason for her to make up a story. That gives her credibility.
So yes, she should pursue internally at minimum. Stick to the facts and insist that it is not acceptable for her to work in any capacity where she might be alone with the doc.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Oct 1, 2014 6:15:56 GMT
Well if someone put their hands around my throat I would be calling the cops. Part of me feels like this will be questioned by other people because she didnt report it to the cops.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Oct 1, 2014 8:31:04 GMT
She was trying to decide whether to file a police report. I said she should. She is worried about her job, that was part of why she hasn't done so yet. Also I think she is so flustered by the incident that she's having a hard time thinking straight.
I agree that she is going into a hostile work environment, and it worries me. I think she will get all the info tomorrow, as soon as she can (like getting the people who heard her yelling to write statements).
I hope she does get the police involved; this guy needs a serious wake-up call. And I hope she escalates things until she is both satisfied with the outcome, and protected. I told her that her employer should be very motivated to protect her and solve this issue, especially since he already has a history.
Unfortunately, firing him isn't an option; he has privileges at the hospital, but isn't on staff. His privileges could be revoked, though.
I'll update when I have more info.
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Post by christine58 on Oct 1, 2014 9:37:31 GMT
She needs to call the police and she should have gone immediately to HR...
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Post by Zee on Oct 1, 2014 10:35:11 GMT
Poor thing, I bet she was in shock.
I knew of a nurse who was struck by a doctor during a procedure. Fortunately for her, there were plenty of witnesses. She hired an attorney and won a nice lawsuit. He had his privileges revoked for a time, though he was back practicing when I was there.
Hospitals generally take these things a lot more seriously nowadays than they used to.
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Post by Erica on Oct 1, 2014 10:37:59 GMT
Were there any cameras?
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Post by mommaho on Oct 1, 2014 10:42:53 GMT
Hugs for your sister and you -
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TankTop
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Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Oct 1, 2014 11:09:39 GMT
I am sorry, but I would call the police and file for a restraining order. Hr can sort it out after that.
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mallie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by mallie on Oct 1, 2014 12:07:07 GMT
Having worked in HR, it makes our job much easier of a police report is filed.
I would also urge your sister to take a self defense class. It will help her regain a sense of control and power over her own life that will help her overcome her fear and lingering issues in the wake of the attack. She can specifically ask the instructor how to break a stranglehold like she experienced and practicing that will really help her regain confidence.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 1, 2014 12:52:35 GMT
Once she reports, I would not be surprised if others come forward with similar stories.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:36:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 13:00:42 GMT
She definitely should file a police report. Get a paper trail started on this guy before he escalates it.
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M in Carolina
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Post by M in Carolina on Oct 1, 2014 13:21:41 GMT
I agree that your sister should file a police report. One would hope that her manager would *want* her to file a report since this doctor has gone from throwing things around to actually *trying* to cause physical harm.
I read a report recently that said that men in domestic abuse situations who grab women by the throat are much more likely to commit murder. I'd be extremely surprised if the doctor's wife isn't being abused.
I think whatever is going on with this guy is becoming too much for him to handle, so he is now starting to hurt women he works with. I'd be very uncomfortable being his patient.
I once had a doctor who thought I was Jewish because of my first name, and I thought I saw hatred in his eyes. I blew it off, but when he did a procedure where he was supposed to look at my bladder, he was so rough with me that the anesthesia nurse started yelling at him while she gave me more medicine. I didn't report anything because I was young and stupid.
I also agree on the self defense classes. EVERY woman should know how to protect herself and be able to get away from an attacker.
This doctor sounds really dangerous.
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Post by gonewalkabout on Oct 1, 2014 13:43:00 GMT
I agree with what everyone is saying, but I would also caution her to get a LOT of backup support from people she works with. I'm saying this for a reason. I know what it's like to go up against a doctor as a victim.
Many people won't necessarily believe a doctor is capable of being unbalanced, or will brush it off as a 'bad day'. The higher he is in the field and more qualifications, the worse it is. I can bet there have been other victims but may not have reported the incident. Some won't report due to fear of losing their job, others due to his position. Hence the need for backup.
The doctor I dealt with was probably abusive to his wife also. I couldn't take him to court because he managed to cover his ass which took me awhile to unravel (but I did, and am glad I'm a forensic investigator for that reason) I ended up being too traumatized. At the time I was a senior in college (2006) and was too trusting, to start with. He ended up causing injuries that ruined my career before it began.
All that to say, I hope she gets on top of this, don't let this doctor get away with it.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Oct 1, 2014 13:46:09 GMT
She was trying to decide whether to file a police report. I said she should. She is worried about her job, that was part of why she hasn't done so yet. Also I think she is so flustered by the incident that she's having a hard time thinking straight. I agree that she is going into a hostile work environment, and it worries me. I think she will get all the info tomorrow, as soon as she can (like getting the people who heard her yelling to write statements). I hope she does get the police involved; this guy needs a serious wake-up call. And I hope she escalates things until she is both satisfied with the outcome, and protected. I told her that her employer should be very motivated to protect her and solve this issue, especially since he already has a history. Unfortunately, firing him isn't an option; he has privileges at the hospital, but isn't on staff. His privileges could be revoked, though. I'll update when I have more info. So if she was SEXUALLY assaulted, would she be so worried about her f*cking job that she'd not call the police? ? I'm sorry, but people like her are why we have these issues continuing. He can get away with it because no one takes action. Privileges? Like being able to physically put his hands on others? I am outraged that she did nothing. Any asshole tries to touch me and they are getting themselves arrested and I will kick it up the chain until justice is done. F*ck my job, my life and safety is way more important.
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Southern Side eyed Pea 
? I'm sorry, but people like her are why we have these issues continuing. He can get away with it because no one takes action. Privileges? Like being able to physically put his hands on others? I am outraged that she did nothing. Any asshole tries to touch me and they are getting themselves arrested and I will kick it up the chain until justice is done. F*ck my job, my life and safety is way more important.