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Compensation will not change what happened to you. But the sense of justice that comes with it will help in your recovery process. This has been the experience of our network of sexual abuse lawyers all across the country.
More than 6 months beforehand, around October of 2020, the first legal complaint was presented against Cumberland Hospital. That filing highlighted numerous instances of negligence, fraud, and worse crimes taking place on the center's premises.
The former medical director, Dr. Davidow, is faced with more than a dozen victims who allege he sexually abused them during routine medical exams. In a majority of cases, the victims were young girls so it wasn't until the adolescents found the strength to speak to their parents that the exploitations were first brought to light.
Aside from Davidow, Herschel Harden, a psychotherapist at Cumberland, was also named as an alleged abuser. In his case, a victim's testimony detailed how he allegedly abused a female patient on more than 100 occasions.
Lastly, the hospital itself was also alleged to have engaged in dubious business practices. Namely, by falsifying paperwork they managed to keep patients longer than necessary and, naturally, billed them for the additional treatment.
The first claim was constituted of 20 total claimants. However, news of abuse at Cumberland spread quickly, and deeper investigations encountered further victims spanning many years.
The second complaint brought against Cumberland Hospital in Richmond Circuit Court by Mr. Kevin Biniazan is composed of claims from 18 additional victims. This brings the total number of victims to 38 individuals who are seeking damages in excess of $240 million (cumulative.)
In this separate and more recent filing, the claims are increasingly related to alleged abuse at the hands of Dr. Davidow, as well as negligence on behalf of the Hospital and its owner. Comparatively, this case does not present additional claims against Mr. Harden; Harden had been criminally indicted by Virginia State Police investigators and released on bail. However, he was found dead at his home before he appeared for sentencing.
The most recently filed complaint contains allegations from former patients who reside in many different states, not just ones currently living in Virginia. Most of the cases are similar in their recounting of events:
There are also stories of a male resident sexually assaulting another female resident without Cumberland staff intervening.
The amount of damages being sought in these cases is substantial. Yet, the number of victims is also substantial. The effect on the lives of victims, the physical injuries, the emotional trauma, the anguish, and much more, are also substantial.
It's not difficult to argue that no amount of money could make this right. Yet, victims must still try to rebuild their lives once again. Medical treatment can be key for dealing with traumatic experiences, though it is rarely affordable.
The compensation won in a civil case can help victims to get the financial support they need, as well as provide the sense of closure and justice that can be vital for the healing process.
