Utah Dr. David Broadbent Sexual Assault Allegations
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
Key Takeaways
- Dr. David Broadbent has been accused by over 100 female patients of doctor sexual abuse including inappropriate touching and unnecessary medical exams. As of June 2024, he has finally been criminally charged and is facing ongoing criminal investigations by at least 49 women who have already reported to law enforcement.
- Many patients may not realize they experienced doctor sexual abuse in the moment as it can be difficult to recognize given the inherent trust in medical professionals – which makes it difficult to understand that a procedure is performed incorrectly or is unnecessary.
- If you or someone you know was a patient of Dr. Broadbent and believe you experienced doctor sexual abuse, we can help you understand your legal rights and options and connect you with an experienced attorney free of charge.
Allegations Against Dr. David Broadbent
As of July 2024, over 100 women have accused Dr. David Broadbent, a former OB-GYN, of sexual assault. They allege that throughout his career, he took advantage of his position of trust to victimize patients in their most vulnerable moments, causing significant physical and emotional trauma. His victims included both adult women and underage girls as young as 14.
As reported on June 29, 2024, Broadbent faced his first criminal charge of forcible sexual abuse, as prosecutors allege he sexually touched a patient during a 2020 exam.
It has been reported by ProPublica that at least 49 women reported to the Provo police that Broadbent sexually abused them during exams, and prosecutors were weighing whether to file charges for 18 months.
Broadbent’s alleged misconduct occurred under the guise of medical care. His victims claim that he inappropriately touched their breasts, vaginas, and rectums without warning, explanation, or justification. These exams were often medically unnecessary to begin with.
The allegations also state that Broadbent inserted his finger inside patients repeatedly for several minutes. Some patients allege that Broadbent used his bare hand during exams instead of wearing gloves or using a speculum, and one reported seeing an erection under his clothes while he touched her.
Many patients said they suffered physical pain and bleeding beyond what is reasonably expected from standard gynecological care. Broadbent often responded with no regard for his patients’ distress—one victim even claimed that he chuckled after performing a painful exam on her.
Victims have also accused Broadbent of sexual harassment. He allegedly made inappropriate comments to patients, often complimenting their bodies in a sexually explicit manner and remarking on their sexual histories.
Four of Broadbent’s former patients filed a joint lawsuit against him and other liable parties in February 2022. Dozens of other women joined the suit soon after. After learning about the lawsuit, Utah Valley Hospital suspended Broadbent’s privileges to provide services at the facility.
According to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Broadbent has closed his medical office and agreed not to practice medicine while the allegations are pending.
The Role of Hospital Negligence in Dr. Broadbent’s Sexual Misconduct
Several third parties may have contributed to or enabled Broadbent’s misconduct. Most notable of these third parties are Intermountain Health and MountainStar Healthcare, which own Utah Valley Hospital and Timpanogos Regional Hospital, respectively. Broadbent was an independent physician at both hospitals and attended births and surgical procedures at these facilities.
According to the lawsuit, which names both health care organizations as defendants, Broadbent’s victims made multiple formal and informal complaints to the hospitals about his inappropriate behavior. In the case of Utah Valley Hospital, complaints even reached the facility’s chief administrator and chief medical officer, but they did not act accordingly. In fact, Intermountain Health continued to refer women to Broadbent’s private clinic for over a decade following the first complaints.
A MountainStar Healthcare representative denied knowledge of the complaints, asserting that the lawsuit inappropriately names the organization as a defendant. Intermountain Health has not openly denied the lawsuit’s allegations. Instead, it has emphasized Broadbent’s status as an independent physician and has claimed that most of the alleged incidents occurred at his private office.
If these allegations against the hospitals are true, they may be found liable for negligence in handling the complaints against Broadbent. By failing to take action and continuing to refer patients to him, Utah Valley Hospital and Timpanogos Regional Hospital may have enabled Broadbent’s predatory behavior and put more women at risk. This potential negligence could open the door for additional legal action against the hospitals.
Speak to an Experienced Lawyer to Understand Your Legal Rights and Options
The Broadbent case is just the latest in a series of high-profile matters involving sexual assault allegations against physicians.
If you’ve experienced medical sexual abuse under the care of Dr. David Broadbent or another physician, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. You may be entitled to seek justice and compensation for the harm inflicted upon you by filing a civil lawsuit against Broadbent and his employers.
A skilled and knowledgeable attorney well-versed in medical sexual abuse cases can help you initiate a civil lawsuit against the offender or other responsible parties. They will compassionately guide you through your legal options and provide the insight necessary to make an informed decision about your next steps. Should you decide to proceed with a lawsuit, your attorney can handle the legal details on your behalf and give you space to focus on healing. Their assistance can level the playing field between you and the medical institutions that made you feel helpless for so long.
Helping Survivors can connect you to an experienced doctor sexual abuse lawyer who can provide a free consultation to help you understand your legal rights and options. If they believe they can represent you in a case, they will do so on contingency — meaning there are no upfront costs to filing a lawsuit and they’re only compensated if and when you win. Get in touch with us today to be connected with someone who can help you understand your rights and options so you can take the next best step forward.
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