Sports provide an incredibly valuable experience for many teens. Whether it's learning how to effectively work as a team, honing their athletic abilities, or even vying for a spot on a professional sports team, most parents are thrilled when their child develops an interest in sports. However, recent claims against a Michigan urologist serve as a reminder that parents must be cautious when allowing other adults to spend time around their teens.

Toward the end of 2022, prosecutors charged Dr. Zvi Levran with 17 crimes related to sexual misconduct. Dr. Levran, who is known as the “Hockey Doctor,” was a urologist who treated countless students who played in youth hockey leagues across Michigan and Minnesota. The disturbing allegations of abuse go back 20 years, meaning many of those who recently raised allegations of abuse for the first time have lived almost two decades without seeing justice done.

Individuals who experienced similar sexual abuse by a doctor, either by Zvi Levran or other doctors, may be entitled to financial compensation for what they were put through. As we’ve discussed in previous posts, all medical professionals owe patients a duty of care to provide appropriate medical treatment. Certainly, rendering some types of medical care requires doctors to gain an intimate knowledge of what’s going on with a patient’s body. However, when doctors turn what should be a legitimate medical examination into a sexual encounter, it’s a clear violation of both medical ethics and the law. Those interested in learning more about doctor sexual misconduct claims should reach out to a sexual abuse lawyer to schedule a confidential consultation.

What Are the Claims Against Dr. Zvi Levran?

The claims against Dr. Zvi Levran vary somewhat, but there is certainly a pattern among them. In each of the 17 counts against him, Mr. Levran is alleged to have sexually assaulted patients, all of which were youth hockey players, during routine medical exams. The examinations were conducted in his home office in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Which Students Did Dr. Zvi Levran Treat?

Dr. Zvi Levran treated young hockey players in Michigan and Minnesota between the years 2000 and 2011. He also treated patients at St. Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Farmington Hills. Michigan, during this time. Later, he moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he practiced urology at Lake Region Healthcare until 2018.

Recently, students who attended high schools in Farmington Hills, Novi, Livonia, West Bloomfield and Redford Township have come forward to disclose instances of abuse committed by Dr. Levran.

Does the Outcome of Dr. Levran’s Criminal Case Benefit Victims?

Yes and no. Criminal cases are brought by state or federal prosecutors based on violations of the criminal law. Thus, when a judge oversees a criminal trial, the focus is on whether the defendant’s conduct was criminal and, if so, what the appropriate punishment should be. While a criminal conviction can give victims a sense that justice has been served, a criminal court judge lacks the ability to award victims any monetary compensation. In fact, depending on the outcome of the case, victims may not even have an opportunity to tell the court how the sexual abuse they were forced to endure impacted their life.

However, victims of Dr. Levan’s alleged sexual abuse can file a civil claim on their own. In a civil sexual assault lawsuit, there is more of a focus on how the defendant’s conduct affected the victim.

Can Victims of Sexual Assault Sue Their Abusers?

As a preliminary matter, Dr. Levran has not yet been convicted, nor has he admitted any wrongdoing. Thus, legally speaking, it is still an open question whether Dr. Levran engaged in sexual misconduct. However, there were only two people in the room during his examinations, and his patients certainly know what happened.

Those who were treated by Dr. Zri Levran and experienced what they believe to have been sexual abuse can bring a sexual assault claim against the doctor. In a doctor sexual assault case, a victim must establish that the doctor committed sexual misconduct. A sex assault lawyer can help victims understand the type of evidence they would need to present to prove their case. However, one of the major differences between civil and criminal cases is that, in a civil case, the burden to prove a defendant’s conduct is much lower. This means that in the event Dr. Levran is not convicted in a criminal court, victims can still pursue a sexual assault claim against Dr. Zri Levran.

What Damages Are Available in a Doctor Sex Abuse Claim?

The damages that are available in a sexual assault claim depend on a few factors. For example, every state has different laws about the types of damages that can be awarded and the damages awards in these cases vary based on the allegations. However, as a general rule, victims of sexual abuse can recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages stemming from the assault.

Economic damages refer to the out-of-pocket costs a victim must cover due to the abuse. For example, if a victim required years of therapy or mental health counseling, they could be compensated for these expenses. Other types of economic damages include lost wages and a decrease in the ability to earn an income. This may be relevant for those who experienced abuse as a child but, due to the ongoing impact of the abuse, were unable to complete school or have been unable to obtain or maintain employment.

Non-economic damages refer to the emotional and psychological impact that the abuse had on a victim’s life. Sometimes, non-economic damages are referred to as “pain and suffering” damages; however, in reality, these damages provide compensation for a wide range of non-economic harms, all of which negatively impact a victim’s quality of life.

Do Victims of Sexual Abuse Need to Testify?

Not necessarily. In fact, most survivors of sexual assault who file an abuse claim do not need to testify. While sexual abuse cases against doctors may end up going to trial, the majority of these claims settle out of court. Thus, in most civil sex abuse cases, the victim never needs to take the stand to testify. Of course, every case is different, and not all cases settle. So there may be the need to testify in some cases. Those who have hesitations about the need to testify in a sexual assault case should inform their attorney because this is something a lawyer can take into account during the early stages of the case.