Hospital May Be Liable for Sexual Assault by Physician

A Connecticut woman may proceed on claims of negligent hiring, retention, and supervision against a hospital where a medical staff doctor allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Bristol Hospital Inc. may be liable for Dr. Olakunle Oluwole’s alleged actions even though he was an independent contractor and not its employee, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut said March 25.

A jury could find the hospital exercised enough control over Oluwole’s actions to subject it to liability, the court said. Bristol’s board of directors was responsible for all decisions relating to the training, hiring, and firing of medical staff physicians, ...