A consolidated lawsuit has been filed against Dr. Derrick Todd, a former rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, by more than 200 women and several men, alleging that he performed unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations on patients. The lawsuit claims that Todd began abusing patients in 2010 and accuses several other defendants, including Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Charles River Medical Associates, of knowing about the abuse and failing to stop it. The victims range in age from teenagers to women in their 60s, and the abuse included invasive and unnecessary exams beyond treating rheumatic diseases.
One of the victims, Kristin Fritz, described feeling violated and ashamed after Todd aggressively groped her breasts during a visit to the hospital more than a decade ago. Fritz, who allowed her name to be used by the Associated Press, recalled the experience as deeply traumatic and regretted not recognizing the wrongdoing in the moment. Many other victims, including a 33-year-old Massachusetts woman, reported similar experiences and detailed the ways in which Todd took advantage of their trust and conducted invasive exams during their visits.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital launched an internal investigation in April 2023 after receiving two anonymous complaints about Todd. He was subsequently placed on administrative leave and terminated a month later. Todd reached a voluntary agreement with the Board of Registration in Medicine in September to stop practicing medicine anywhere in the country. While no criminal charges have been filed against Todd, law enforcement has interviewed several former patients, and he is under investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
The hospital expressed deep concern over the allegations and emphasized its commitment to patient safety and care. The Charles River Medical Associates, another defendant in the lawsuit, stated that it was not aware of any complaints of inappropriate conduct by Todd and expressed sadness over the disturbing allegations. The victims, however, have spoken out about the lasting impact of the abuse on their lives, with one woman describing the experience as impacting every component of her life and causing ongoing struggles with self-confidence and trauma.
Despite the challenges they face, the victims find solace in the fact that Todd will never be able to practice medicine again. Many hope for justice to be served by holding him accountable for his actions and ensuring that he can never harm another patient. As the legal proceedings continue through the Massachusetts Superior Court system, the victims remain determined to seek closure and find healing from the trauma they experienced at the hands of a trusted medical professional. The lawsuit seeks to bring attention to the issue of abuse in healthcare settings and hold all responsible parties accountable for their roles in allowing the abuse to persist for years without intervention.
