Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents Sexual Abuse and Battery Lawsuit
Cumberland Hospital, owned and operated by United Health Systems and located in New Kent County, is a residential center that treats mostly adolescents with neurobehavioral issues, brain trauma, and other chronic health conditions.
In October 2020, our attorneys filed a multi-count civil lawsuit on behalf of 20 plaintiffs against Cumberland Hospital alleging assault and battery, negligence, fraud, reckless disregard, and violations of Virginia’s Consumer Protection Act. This initial lawsuit for $127 million has grown to include 27 additional plaintiffs, all of whom were children when the abuse and battery occurred.
The lawsuits were filed against the facility itself, the former medical director Dr. Davidow, and United Health System. The filings cite negligence, assault, battery, child’s rights violations, and other crimes.
You may have seen some of the in-depth news investigation into allegations of abuse and battery at the Cumberland Children’s Hospital for Children and Adolescents. As CBS 6 Problem Solvers reported in October 2021, there have been documented incidents of Cumberland Hospital violating its own seclusion protocol well after the hospital was first placed under criminal investigation in October 2017.
Former patients of the residential treatment center allege they were sexually abused by Dr. Davidow who would perform unnecessary “femoral pulse checks” to fondle the victim’s intimate body parts. In fact, more than half of the 20 plaintiffs allege non-consensual touching.
In addition to the complaints against Dr. Davidow, the hospital is accused of not maintaining adequate staff to prevent residents from being victimized, whether on behalf of employees or other patients. The facility is also facing claims that it purposely kept patients longer than necessary in order to maximize revenue.
Our legal team is comprised of experienced attorneys who have dedicated their legal practice to representing survivors of abuse, both physical and sexual. If you or a loved one have suffered sexual abuse or battery at Cumberland Hospital, or while under the care of Dr. Davidow, Breit Biniazan can help.