Dr. Michael Wilmington Sexual Abuse Lawsuit (Kaiser Permanente)
Dr. Michael Wilmington, a Vancouver, Washington pediatrician affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, faced child sexual abuse allegations before his death in May 2026. Families who believe their child was harmed by Dr. Wilmington may still have legal options against Kaiser Permanente. If you have experienced any form of sexual assault connected to Dr. Wilmington, reach out to Helping Survivors today.
- Dr. Michael Wilmington was a pediatrician in Vancouver, Washington, affiliated with Kaiser Permanente’s Salmon Creek Medical Office. He faced child sexual abuse allegations and died in May 2026, before his case went to trial.
- Kaiser Permanente faces multiple civil lawsuits alleging the healthcare company ignored or failed to act on reports about Dr. Wilmington’s conduct over the years.
- Families who believe their child was harmed by Dr. Wilmington may still have legal options against Kaiser Permanente. Contact Helping Survivors to learn more about your rights and options.
Who Was Dr. Michael Wilmington?
Dr. Michael Wilmington worked as a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente’s Salmon Creek Medical Office in Vancouver, Washington. He faced child sexual abuse allegations connected to a Vancouver police investigation before his death by apparent suicide in May 2026.
Wilmington died shortly after an arrest warrant was issued for a first-degree child molestation charge in his criminal case. Because he died before trial, the criminal case did not proceed. The focus for families now centers on civil claims against Kaiser Permanente, his employer, for its alleged mishandling of the reports against him.
Can I File a Lawsuit Related to Dr. Wilmington's Conduct?
The only way to know for sure is to speak with a lawyer. Because Dr. Wilmington is deceased, a claim connected to his conduct would likely be directed at Kaiser Permanente under an institutional liability theory, such as negligent supervision or failure to act on reports, rather than a personal injury claim against him directly.
Under Washington law, the time limit to file a civil claim depends on when the abuse occurred. For childhood sexual abuse that occurred before June 6, 2024, a claim generally must be filed by age 21 or within 3 years of discovering the injuries caused by the act. For childhood sexual abuse that occurred on or after June 6, 2024, Washington law sets no time limit at all. An attorney can review the specific dates and facts of a case to confirm which rule applies.
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How Helping Survivors Can Help
Helping Survivors can help you understand your legal rights and options if you believe your family was affected by Dr. Wilmington’s conduct or Kaiser Permanente’s handling of the reports against him. Our legal partners work on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to determine whether you have a claim. Contact Helping Survivors today to learn more about your rights and options.
Allegations Against Dr. Wilmington
Allegations against Dr. Wilmington span a criminal investigation into his own conduct and civil lawsuits alleging his employer failed to act on warning signs.
The Criminal Investigation
The Vancouver Police Department investigated child molestation allegations involving Dr. Wilmington. Investigators alleged Wilmington hosted overnight gatherings with children at his home and called him an extreme threat to children. An arrest warrant was issued for a first-degree child molestation charge shortly before he died.
The Vancouver Police Department’s investigation into Dr. Wilmington also implicated a separate individual, a medical assistant formerly employed at a different area health system, who now faces a child trafficking charge connected to the Wilmington investigation.
Civil Lawsuits Against Kaiser Permanente
Multiple civil lawsuits have been filed against Kaiser Permanente, alleging the company ignored or failed to act on reports about Dr. Wilmington’s conduct. New lawsuits alleging Kaiser concealed knowledge of the abuse, with one lawsuit alleging Kaiser ignored direct reports about Wilmington.
Six women have filed lawsuits against Kaiser Permanente as of July 2026, alleging the company failed to protect them from Dr. Wilmington’s predatory conduct. The lawsuits allege Kaiser received reports about Wilmington’s conduct as early as 2006, when a parent reported he had examined a child’s genitalia without warning during a sports physical. Another report came in 2020, when a staff member’s dismissive response to a parent’s complaint allegedly signaled the concerns were known internally.
Even though Wilmington is now deceased, a lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente can still move forward. Civil claims against an employer for negligent supervision or failure to act on reports of misconduct do not depend on the individual perpetrator facing trial. These claims focus on what the institution knew, when it knew it, and whether it took reasonable steps to protect patients once concerns were raised.
What Families Should Know About Their Rights and Options
Families affected by doctor sexual assault cases generally have several concrete options for seeking accountability: reporting the conduct to law enforcement or a licensing board, and pursuing a civil claim against the responsible institution.
Examples of Doctor Sexual Assault
Doctor sexual assault can take several forms, including but not limited to:
- Inappropriate touching during exams framed as medically necessary, especially with pediatric patients where a parent may not have been present.
- Sexually suggestive behavior or comments made during an appointment.
- Exams performed without appropriate protocol, oversight, or a chaperone present.
Reporting Doctor Sexual Assault
Reporting is one option available to families, not a requirement. Families can learn how to report doctor sexual assault to local law enforcement or file a complaint with the Washington Medical Commission. Each option is available on its own, and a family can choose what feels right for their situation.
Support Is Available
The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, known as RAINN, provides 24/7 crisis support. The RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available online or by phone at 800-656-HOPE.
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