Henry Ford Health system sued for $100M over sexually abusive doctor

• Three new lawsuits have been filed towards the Henry Ford Well being system alleging sexual abuse by a former physician.
• The lawsuits allege that Dr. Oumair Aejaz secretly admitted and sexually abused feminine sufferers.
• One lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages, claiming the hospital ought to have identified in regards to the physician’s conduct.
• Aejaz not too long ago pleaded responsible to a number of crimes and faces life in jail.

A convicted physician on the middle of a intercourse abuse scandal involving kids and adults continues to trigger authorized hassle for Henry Ford Well being, which has been hit with three new lawsuits involving the notorious physician — together with one for $100 million.

The lawsuits contain girls who say they had been pressured to determine themselves in disturbing movies and pictures obtained by police whereas investigating a health care provider who allegedly secretly filmed himself molesting sufferers. The victims included a lady who underwent a pelvic examination however was unaware she was being filmed in the course of the course of.

“That is yet one more instance of a healthcare supplier focusing on weak sufferers who come to them for assist,” Fieger Legislation mentioned in saying the lawsuits on Monday, October 27.

The lawsuits are on behalf of three sufferers who declare they had been secretly videotaped and subjected to sexual abuse or misconduct by former Dr. Oumair Aejaz, who faces a life sentence after pleading responsible to a string of crimes two weeks in the past. The 41-year-old physician from Rochester Hills admitted to abusing a baby whereas recording himself, and secretly recording kids and adults in hospital rooms and bedrooms, for instance.

Prosecutors additionally allege that the embattled physician recorded himself sexually abusing unconscious hospital sufferers. Nonetheless, Aejaz was not employed by Henry Ford Well being, however relatively was an impartial doctor from a non-public follow who labored on the hospital.

Following his responsible plea, authorities famous that the investigation is ongoing and that there could also be quite a few unidentified victims.

Particular person, A year-long class action is pending against Henry Ford Health, Macomb Hospital and Aejaz, alleging that Aejaz engaged in widespread sexual abuse over no less than six years and violated the privateness of a number of sufferers, together with minors.

The latter plaintiffs should not a part of that class motion.

In an Oct. 27 assertion to the Free Press, Henry Ford Well being mentioned, “We’re deeply dedicated to making sure and supporting the security of our sufferers and group members, and we prioritize their security in all the things we do. Nonetheless, we don’t touch upon pending litigation.”

Aejaz’s lawyer, Mariell Lehman, declined to touch upon Tuesday, October 28.

The most recent lawsuits embody claims from three Macomb County girls – two from Sterling Heights, one from Utica – who allege:

Within the spring of 2024, a 40-year-old Utica girl was admitted to Henry Ford’s Macomb Hospital a number of occasions, though the lawsuit doesn’t disclose the well being cause. In accordance with her lawsuit, she was assigned to Aejaz, who allegedly sexually assaulted her a number of occasions whereas alone in a room together with her, recording these acts utilizing hidden gadgets that had been ultimately found by police.

One of many girl’s allegations is that he as soon as sexually assaulted her whereas performing a pelvic examination. One other time, he allegedly put his fingers on her neck and breasts and “felt up” her. One other time, he lifted her shirt after making use of hand sanitizer and uncovered her breasts.

In accordance with the lawsuit, which seeks no less than $100 million, the girl confirmed her identification in pictures and movies obtained by police and proven to her at a gathering in Could – a 12 months after the alleged incidents.

“Henry Ford Macomb and Henry Ford Well being knew or ought to have identified that Aejaz was taking inappropriate pictures and movies of sufferers and inappropriately touching sufferers,” the lawsuits say.

A second lawsuit entails a 47-year-old Sterling Heights girl who went to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital a number of occasions for remedy for blurred imaginative and prescient and power complications. She offered by way of the emergency division, the grievance states, and was harassed by Aejaz throughout her remedy there.

“Aejaz engaged in inappropriate, offensive and/or sexual acts with (the girl),” the lawsuit mentioned, including that he additionally “took and saved inappropriate, offensive and/or sexual pictures and movies” of her.

In accordance with the lawsuit, the girl confirmed her identification within the pictures and movies, which included inappropriate offensive and/or sexual touching, throughout an encounter with legislation enforcement officers on August 7. Her lawsuit seeks no less than $25,000 in damages.

The third plaintiff is a Sterling Heights girl who went to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital for coronary heart issues. She claims that in her remedy on the hospital, she was “photographed and videotaped in inappropriate and compromising positions and inappropriately touched” by Aejaz. The lawsuit doesn’t specify when this could have occurred.

The Free Press shouldn’t be naming the ladies as a result of the corporate usually doesn’t title victims of sexual violence.

“Our shoppers allege that Dr. Aejaz not solely videotaped them as they offered to the hospital for care, but in addition that the doctor engaged in undesirable sexual contact with them throughout interactions … at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital,” Fieger Legislation mentioned in an announcement, including that his attorneys have additionally found in affected person recordsdata that complaints have been made about Aejaz and his conduct at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.

Moreover, Fieger Legislation claims that police allege that in some circumstances Aejaz noticed sufferers who weren’t assigned to him.

Aejaz got here onto the police radar in August 2024, after his spouse tipped off authorities that he had secretly recorded her and their two minor kids and feminine family. She additionally informed investigators that she discovered recordings of people undressing at Goldfish Swim Faculty in Rochester Hills and produced materials that raised considerations amongst authorities.

An investigation ensued, with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Workplace ultimately seizing six computer systems, 4 cell telephones, and fifteen exterior onerous drives; one of many discs alone contained 13,000 movies. Researchers estimate there could also be lots of of victims.

Aejaz can be sentenced on December 2 and faces as much as life in jail and a compulsory minimal sentence of 25 years for felony sexual conduct within the first diploma.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com