Former UCLA gynecologist Dr. James Heaps has been accused of sexually abusing female patients during exams and multiple lawsuits have been filed by victims.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sexual abuse induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been sexually abused by former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Sexual Abuse Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: UCLA Reaches $244 Million Settlement with 203 Sex Abuse Survivors
In February 2022, UCLA announced that it had reached a $244 million settlement with 203 women who claimed they were sexually abused by James Heaps, a former OB-GYN. The women will each receive about $1.2 million from the settlement. They were part of a group of around 600 women who refused to join a class action lawsuit settlement back in November 2020 that only paid around $2,500 – $250,000 per person.
UCLA Reaches $73 Million Settlement in Class Action Lawsuit
In November 2020, the University of California reached a $73 million settlement in a class action lawsuit involving around 5,500 patients of Dr. James Heaps. Eligible members of the class action can get an automatic payment of $2,500, and survivors who come forward to detail their claims can seek up to $250,000.
How Many Women Are Eligible?
As part of the class action, more than 6,600 patients of Dr. James Heaps could get part of the settlement, even if they have not already come forward to accuse him of sexual abuse. UCLA is aware of about 5,000 patients who were treated by Heaps, and estimate that another 1,600 women were treated by him but that their records no longer exist at the university.
Should I Join the Settlement?
Lawyers representing more than 100 women who were victimized by Dr. Heaps say they will not join the settlement. If more than 250 women opt out and decide to pursue lawsuits, the UC Board of Regents may pull out of the $73 million settlement. This may occur if enough women are unhappy with their payout. For example, in 2019, the UC regents paid $2.25 million to 1 woman who said Heaps sexually assaulted her during an exam.
UCLA Pays $3.5 Million Settlement in Gynecologist Sex Abuse Lawsuits
July 2019 — UCLA has paid more than $3.5 million in settlements to women who claim they were abused by former gynecologist Dr. James Heaps.
One of the settlements, worth $2 million, was awarded to a patient who says she was sexually abused by Heaps.
Last month, Heaps was charged with sexual battery and exploitation in connection with his treatment of two patients. One of those patients was the woman who was awarded the $2 million settlement.
Cancer Patient Files Sex Abuse Lawsuit
An unnamed 44 year-old cancer patient has filed a sex abuse lawsuit against UCLA and gynecologist Dr. James Heaps. At least 22 women have now come forward with sex abuse allegations. Click here to read more.
Former UCLA Gynecologist Accused of Sex Abuse
In June 2019, former UCLA gynecologist Dr. James Heaps surrendered to law enforcement to face sex abuse charges involving at least 2 patients during exams in 2017 and 2018.
Sex Abuse Charges Against Dr. Heaps
Dr. Heaps is charged with 2 counts of sexual battery by fraud and 1 count of sexual exploitation by a physician with 2 patients. Dr. Heaps has pleaded not guilty and was released without bail, according to the Associated Press.
Where Did He Work at UCLA?
Dr. Heaps worked at UCLA for 30 years, including part-time at UCLA’s student health clinic from 1983 to 2010. He was then hired full-time at UCLA Health in 2014. He also held medical staff privileges at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center from 1988 to 2018.
Details of Sex Abuse Allegations
UCLA is aware of 4 complaints against Dr. Heaps, but the criminal allegations only involve 2 women, according to the Los Angeles Times.
One of the criminal allegations involves a 48-year-old mother of three who claims that Heaps improperly placed his fingers in her vagina during an examination.
The other criminal allegation involves a young woman who claims that Heaps improperly fingered her genital ring piercing during an exam in February 2017. She also accused him of inappropriately touching her buttocks and breasts.
UCLA Pays Confidential Settlement to Sex Abuse Victim
UCLA has already paid a confidential settlement to one of Dr. Heaps’ former patients who accused him of sex abuse, but the university did not provide any details about the settlement amount.
Investigation Uncovers 4 Complaints of Inappropriate Behavior
UCLA launched an internal investigation after receiving her complaint in December 2017. During the investigation, UCLA discovered complaints about Dr. Heaps from 2 other women, one in 2014 and another in 2015. One of those victims was a student at UCLA.
UCLA Terminates Dr. Heaps’ Employment After Investigating Sex Abuse Claims
Following an investigation of sex abuse complaints, UCLA notified Dr. Heaps in April 2018 that he would not be reappointed. In June, he was placed on leave and removed from practice. Later that month, Dr. Heaps announced his retirement.
Sex Abuse Complaints Reported to Medical Board
UCLA also said it reported Dr. Heaps to the Medical Board of California in June 2018. The university filed a second complaint with the Medical Board in March 2019. As of June 2019, he has not faced any disciplinary action and is still licensed to practice gynecology.
Dr. Heaps was Top-30 Highest Paid Employee in UC System
Dr. Heaps was also under investigation for improper billing practices, UCLA said. In 2016, he was among the top-30 highest paid employees in the entire University of California system, taking home $1.18 million in 2016 and $1 million in 2017.
Gynecologist Sex Abuse Scandals at USC
The news comes approximately 1 year after a similar scandal rocked the University of California. Dr. George Tyndall, a gynecologist at the USC Student Health Center, was accused of sexually abusing hundreds of patients since the 1980s. USC ultimately agreed to pay a $215 million settlement to the victims.
Do I have a UCLA Gynecologist Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sexual abuse induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been sexually abused by former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Sexual Abuse Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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