Dr. Edsel Sandoval Abuse: How to Get Help
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Edsel Sandoval was a Yuma, Arizona family medical physician who has been criminally charged with 26 counts related to sexually assaulting patients at Sunset Health and Yuma Regional Medical Center as of July 2024.
- Law enforcement believes there may be more individuals harmed by Dr. Sandoval and are asking them to come forward as soon as possible.
- If you experienced any unwanted or unnecessary sexual contact or abuse by Dr. Sandoval, you have legal rights and options including filing a civil lawsuit for monetary compensation to recover from the harm that happened to you and prevent future abuse.
Dr. Edsel Sandoval: Sexual Assault Allegations & Arrest
Dr. Sandoval was a 36 year old family medical doctor based in Yuma, Arizona. It has been reported that Sandoval was a third-generation physician and graduated in 2020 from YRMC’s Family and Community Medicine Residency program.
He was arrested and booked into jail on February 28, 2024. He was arrested at Sunset Health, a medical clinic in Yuma, where he was believed to be employed from Fall 2023 to February 2024 after departing from Yuma Regional Medical Center in July 2023.
As of publication, it is reported that Sandoval is facing 26 separate criminal charges related to sexually abusing his patients with at least 11 separate victims — and police believe there may be more victims of Sandoval.
Upon his arrest, his medical license was restricted. Sandoval is currently out on a $500,000 bond, meaning he is not currently booked in jail.
If you or someone you know was a patient of Dr. Sandoval in Yuma Arizona and are questioning if what happened to you was doctor sexual abuse, we can help you understand what happened and connect you with an experienced attorney who can provide a free consultation on your legal rights and options, including reporting to the police and filing a civil lawsuit against Sandoval and potentially responsible third parties like his employers.
According to court documents, the alleged patient sexual abuse happened between April 2022 to March 2023 with victims spanning ages from 18 to 65 years old. Court records state that Sandoval intentionally and knowingly engaged in sexual contact, sexual intercourse, and oral sexual conduct on his patients. In his first court appearance in March 2024, Dr. Sandoval pleaded not guilty to the first seven criminal charges against him. In May 2024, he pleaded not guilty to the additional 14 charges brought against him.
- What is Doctor Sexual Assault?
- Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Filed Against Kaiser Permanente
- Utah Dr. David Broadbent Accused of Sexual Assault & Misconduct
- Dr. Edsel Sandoval Sexual Abuse Allegations
- Dr. William Thompson Sexual Abuse Allegations
- Dr. Tyler Hurst Sexual Abuse Allegations
- Major Michael Stockin Sexual Abuse Allegations
- New York Dr. Darius Paduch Accused of Sexual Assault & Misconduct
- New York Dr. Cheng Accused of Sexual Assault & Misconduct
- UCLA Gynecologist: Dr. James Heaps Convicted
- Dr. Hadden Lawsuit in New York
Legal Rights and Options for Patients of Dr. Edsel Sandoval
While Sandoval was a somewhat newly practicing doctor, it is believed that he has far more than the 11 victims who have already bravely come forward to report the harm that happened to them.
Recognizing and labeling doctor sexual abuse can be difficult for patients given the inherent trust in medical professionals and a lack of knowledge of proper medical processes and procedures.
In the case of Dr. Sandoval, it appears he targeted women of all ages and while the details of the sexual abuse allegations have not been revealed publicly, his charges include sexual assault and attempted sexual assault. If Dr. Sandoval ever made you undress, touched you in areas that seemed irrelevant to your medical request (such as touching your breasts or vagina), show you his genitals, or penetrated your intimate areas, this would be considered doctor sexual abuse and you have legal rights and options.
Report to Law Enforcement
While law enforcement has already charged Sandoval with 26 criminal charges related to sexually abusing his patients, they currently believe more individuals may have been impacted.
While Arizona does not have criminal statute of limitations for sexual assault, it is important to speak to law enforcement as soon as possible given their ongoing investigation.
If you have questions about this process, you can reach out to Helping Survivors prior to reporting and we can help answer any questions. We understand that reporting to law enforcement can be difficult for a variety of reasons and we can offer support and free consultations with experienced attorneys prior to reporting to law enforcement so you can be fully informed of this process.
File a Civil Lawsuit Against Dr. Sandoval
Patients who experience medical sexual abuse have the right to pursue civil legal action against the perpetrator and other third parties whose negligence may have contributed to the abuse, such as Sunset Health or Yuma Regional Medical Center in this case.
While many patients may try to forget the experience and move on, doctor sexual abuse is a grotesque violation of your body and the medical profession at large. While you may not be the type of person to file a lawsuit or be concerned about your personal details and details of the harm happening to you will be public, you can likely file the suit anonymously (also known as filing under seal) as a Jane/John Doe).
An experienced doctor sexual assault lawyer can help you understand this process and represent you in filing claims for monetary damages related to the physical, emotional, and psychological harm you suffered. The law firms Helping Survivors works with offer free consultations and only take these types of cases on contingency — meaning there are no upfront costs and your legal team is only compensated if and when they win the case.
Potential monetary damages may encompass compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and potentially punitive damages. The objective of filing a lawsuit against Dr. Sandoval is to hold him and any negligent parties accountable while providing financial support to assist in your recovery and healing.
In general, Arizona has a short two year limit to file a lawsuit for these types of cases. This is why speaking to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible is critical.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit Against Dr. Sandoval:
Speak to Someone Today
Finding a trusted lawyer and revealing what happened to you can be an incredibly daunting task for many individuals. Ensuring they understand how best to navigate these complex cases while also being survivor-centric and empathetic can be a challenge for individuals, especially if they are still processing what happened to them.
An experienced attorney can help with more than just filing a civil lawsuit — they should be there to help you:
- Gathering and documenting evidence of the assault
- Drafting and submitting a complaint to the medical board
- Reporting the incident to law enforcement, if this has not yet been done
- Drafting and filing a civil lawsuit complaint
- Handling all communications with Dr. Sandoval’s and the medical institution’s attorneys and the courts
- If required, an attorney can also help throughout the deposition process, which is a process to gather testimony obtained from individuals involved with a case under oath.
- Negotiating with company representatives for a possible settlement
- Filing the claim under seal or as a “Jane/John Doe” to help protect your information as applicable by laws
- Representing you in all court appearances related to the case.
Picking the wrong attorney can be detrimental as they may not have the expertise or knowledge required to fiercely advocate for you. Doctor sexual abuse civil litigation is complex and requires trusted and experienced attorneys.
Helping Survivors works with a variety of top-rated law firms around the country who help survivors of all forms of sexual abuse, including doctor sexual abuse. If you reach out to us, we can connect you with an experienced lawyer today so you can take the next step with confidence and clarity.
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