A class action lawsuit with thousands of patients will begin after a former Johns Hopkins gynecologist allegedly filmed his appointments, CBS News reported.
Two law firms, so far representing around 2,500 patients, released more information regarding the case on Friday. Lawyers involved said their could be as much as 9,000 victims total.
Dr. Nikita Levy, who worked at Hopkins' East Baltimore Medical Center and an outpatient center, is accused of taking pictures and videos of his patients. Earlier this year, he committed suicide.
According to the Maryland Board of Physicians, Levy had not prior malpractice issues.
A Baltimore court ruled on Wednesday that Johns Hopkins could avoid litigation as long as settlements are reached. However, without a settlement, victims are free to pursue lawsuits.
The current suit names Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Johns Hopkins Health System and Johns Hopkins Community Physicians as defendants.
Johns Hopkins University has issued several statements regarding the case.
"We want to assure our patients that their privacy, safety and well-being is always our priority. We acted quickly, and we reported this information with as much detail as our partners in law enforcement would allow. We were alerted of a concern on Feb. 4, 2013, and our security department immediately initiated an investigation. On Feb. 5, in order to protect patient welfare, Dr. Levy was quietly escorted off the property, and all access to patients was suspended at that time. Dr. Levy's employment was terminated on the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 8," one statement read.
Hospital authorities were alerted in February by a co-worker who noticed something suspicious.
Some of the patients, who were minors, also claim Levy inappropriately touched them and issued unnecessary exams.
Negotiations are likely to start at the end of the year. Lawyers for the victims have openly praised Johns Hopkins for cooperating throughout the case.
