Between 1989 and 2016, former University of Southern California (USC) Dr. George Tyndall allegedly abused hundreds of women. They came to see him at the university’s health center, as he was the only full-time gynecologist on staff.
Several dozen lawsuits are pending against Dr. Tyndall and USC. This number will likely increase dramatically. Several hundred women have already called a hotline set up by USC to field calls from possible victims.
Who Were Dr. Tyndall’s Primary Victims?
As a gynecologist at the USC health center, Dr. Tyndall primarily saw young female students. These young women trusted him to provide medical care. Many of them needed a pelvic exam or had other intimate concerns and required the attention of a gynecologist.
Many of these women had their first pelvic exam from Dr. Tyndall at the USC health center, and may not have known what to expect. This makes it difficult to identify an inappropriate pelvic exam and might explain why more students did not file complaints during Dr. Tyndall’s tenure at the school. Many of these young students—ages 18 to 22 at the time—are now grown women who are speaking out against Dr. Tyndall and USC.
How Many Women Did Dr. Tyndall Treat During His Time at USC?
Dr. Tyndall was a full-time gynecologist at the USC campus health center from 1990 until 2016. Before that, he served as a medical resident at the USC facility. During his almost three decades at the university, he likely performed at least 10,000 pelvic exams on female students.
Even knowing about the complaints against him, both from patients and female staff members who witnessed his behavior, Dr. Tyndall continued to see as many as 16 students each day. Because of this, there is a chance that thousands of victims could step forward with allegations against Dr. Tyndall and the school.
What Are the Accusations Against Dr. Tyndall and USC?
Los Angeles police continue to investigate Dr. Tyndall to determine if the allegations against him constituted inappropriate or illegal behavior. Charges may still occur in this case. Already, though, several dozen women have sued Dr. Tyndall and USC for allegedly inappropriate behavior that includes:
- Photographing patients’ private parts without permission or cause;
- Inappropriate touching of patients;
- Making inappropriate sexual remarks;
- Making racially charged comments and insults;
- Asking unnecessary and invasive questions about the patient’s sexual history;
- Required patients to be nude during pelvic exams; and
- Performing pelvic exams without gloves.
Is USC Liable for Failing to Protect Students?
Dr. Tyndall is not the only defendant in the lawsuits; USC is also a potentially liable party. The suits allege the university failed to take action against Dr. Tyndall, despite reports of his alleged behavior during his residency and continued complaints after he was hired as a full-time practitioner.
The administration of the USC health center handled these complaints on their own for almost 30 years until one came to the attention of university leadership in 2016. This investigation turned up enough evidence to support termination proceedings against Dr. Tyndall, but USC eventually agreed to allow him to resign as a part of a settlement agreement with the victim.
Many women who are coming forward to report concerns about Dr. Tyndall’s behavior blame USC for allowing it to continue as long as it did.
Do I Have Grounds to File a Lawsuit and Fight for Compensation?
If you or a loved one attended USC and saw Dr. Tyndall for a pelvic exam or other treatment between 1989 and 2016, you might have grounds to file a claim for compensation against the doctor and the university. You are not alone. Hundreds of women already called the USC hotline for victims or reported their case to the police. More than 50 plaintiffs have already filed lawsuits. Call 877-385-9792 to speak with a lawyer.
A lawyer can help you understand if you meet the qualifications to file a suit, and take a stand USC and Dr. Tyndall. You might be able to collect compensation for your suffering and hold Dr. Tyndall and USC liable for the emotional damages you suffered.