Richard Grazi sexual abuse allegations: can former Brooklyn fertility patients sue?
Three former patients have brought a civil suit against Dr. Richard V. Grazi, a Brooklyn fertility specialist. The patients allege that they were sexually abused during fertility treatment in the early 2000s. The abuse is said to have occurred during examinations of their breasts and genitalia, with the doctor sexually touching them with no medical purpose. The suit also names Maimonides Medical Center and Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine. The allegations are, of course, interesting in the context of the trust fertility patients place in their doctors. Fertility treatment is an extremely intimate process involving very intimate examinations, a lot of appointments, difficult decisions, and procedures that the patient may not fully understand without the benefit of a full medical explanation. A patient may not be in a position to identify inappropriate behavior if it is being carried out as part of ‘normal’ medical care. A doctor’s record of success in the treatment of infertility in no way negates the patient’s right to give informed consent, to have their bodily autonomy respected, and to be free from sexual abuse.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we know how difficult it is to go after behavior that occurred during fertility treatment, particularly when that behavior occurred many years ago. NYC law may provide a pathway for some survivors of sexual abuse even where the abuse took place many years previously. If you went through treatment with Dr. Richard Grazi or at a Brooklyn fertility clinic and you believe you were the victim of inappropriate sexual contact, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free, confidential consultation. We can review your case, any applicable time limits, and the possibility of a claim.
What are the sexual abuse allegations against Dr Richard Grazi?
Three women have brought a claim to the Kings County Supreme Court in September 2026 alleging that Dr Richard Grazi committed sexual misconduct whilst providing fertility treatment in Brooklyn. The plaintiffs (all Jane Does) allege the incidents occurred when they were between 18 and 23. The claim is that he engaged in inappropriate touching during what were described as breast and genital examinations, including allegations of conduct which took place without gloves or a medical chaperone and which had no medical basis whatsoever. The women allege that Dr Grazi exploited his position as a fertility specialist to gain access to patients who were in a position of trust and who had very intimate medical problems. The complaint also alleges institutional failure in relation to the misconduct. No court has established the allegations. Dr Grazi has categorically denied the allegations through his solicitors and maintains that he has always treated his patients professionally. As of October 2026, he has not been criminally charged in relation to the allegations.
Which Brooklyn fertility clinics and medical institutions are named in the lawsuit?
The suit names Dr. Richard Grazi, Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine, P.C., and Maimonides Medical Center. Dr Grazi founded Genesis Fertility and previously was the Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility at Maimonides. The plaintiffs argue that the combination of the facilities, the institutional weight, and the professional environment enabled the alleged misconduct, and that the institutions either knew or should have known about the behavior. Maimonides has confirmed to NBC New York that Dr Grazi is no longer an employee of the hospital and has no privileges. Genesis has not responded to NBC New York’s requests for comment. Whether either institution is liable will turn on the nature of the relationship between the institutions and Dr Grazi, what they knew or should have known, and the basis of the claims.
Can ex-patients sue Richard Grazi for alleged sexual abuse?
Former patients may have a claim against Dr Grazi in civil terms if they have suffered conduct which amounts to sexual abuse or some other actionable breach of their rights. Conduct that is wrong in the context of medical treatment is not necessarily a defense for a doctor. A patient can consent to the necessary medical treatment without consenting to any sexual touching, exploitation or any conduct which is in any way outside the realm of legitimate treatment.
The claims will turn on the nature of the alleged conduct, when it occurred, the patient’s age, the evidence, and the applicable statute of limitations. NYC has passed specific legislation in relation to gender motivated violence (including a 2026 law which may permit claims for qualifying incidents that occurred in the past). An attorney would have to determine whether the conduct falls within that statute rather than assume that any unpleasant or inappropriate medical encounter is sufficient to support a claim.
How can a patient possibly work out that a fertility investigation has gone too far and crossed the line into sexual abuse?
A fertility exam can be a form of sexual misconduct if the doctor is sexually touching the patient, is conducting the exam for sexual gratification rather than for a legitimate medical purpose, or is going beyond the bounds of the patient’s informed consent. Fertility treatment can very much involve pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and other fairly intimate procedures. Still, the medical setting is not a place where you’re allowed to touch a patient’s body at will. The reason for the exam, how it is carried out, how long it takes, the explanation given to the patient, and the circumstances all matter. A patient who remembers being touched in a way that was not necessary, who was touched in a sexually suggestive way, or who was in some way inconsistent with the explanation she’d been given as to the reason for the exam should not simply assume that the conduct was acceptable just because it was a doctor who was doing it. On the other hand, the mere absence of gloves or a chaperone does not in itself amount to sexual abuse. Medical records, professional standards, and expert opinion can all help determine whether the conduct in question amounts to misconduct.
Does it matter that the alleged abuse took place some 20 years ago?
Yes, the passage of time is a factor, but it doesn’t preclude all claims. Some of the civil claims relating to older sexual abuse allegations may be within the scope of the NYC Victims of Gender Motivated Violence Protection Law (including the 2026 special provisions). Other claims may be covered by different statutes of limitation which may have already expired. Of course, the older claims will have their own evidentiary hurdles. Medical records may have been lost or destroyed, employees may have long since moved on, and witnesses may have a very difficult time recalling the details of the appointments. That’s why it is so important to act quickly. A lawyer can determine whether any relevant records, institutional records, prior complaints, or the testimony of other witnesses still exist.
Can a patient bring a claim without having reported the abuse to the police?
Yes, a prior police report is not a prerequisite to bringing a civil sexual abuse lawsuit in NYC. Civil and criminal actions are separate, and the City’s gender motivated violence statute is very clear on this: a prior criminal complaint, prosecution, or conviction is not a prerequisite to establishing a civil claim. Patients will often remain silent for a variety of reasons. They may be embarrassed, unsure whether the exam was warranted, or scared of the repercussions of accusing a doctor they respect. None of those things precludes a civil claim. The lack of a prior report may be a factor for the jury, but it doesn’t mean the patient’s account is false.
What evidence would help to establish sexual abuse in the context of fertility treatment?
Evidence in a case of sexual abuse in the context of fertility could be appointment records, medical records, billing records, consent forms, correspondence with the clinic, and statements to family or other trusted people at the time of the incident. That kind of evidence could establish when the appointments were, who was present, what procedures were performed, and whether the medical records match the patient’s recollection. The institutional records could be just as important. Previous complaints, staff files, internal investigations, training materials and any correspondence relating to the doctor’s conduct could all be relevant to whether the institution had actual knowledge of the problem. Where the records have been lost, witness evidence and any other available evidence may still be significant. The patient’s account must be properly considered rather than thrown out because it’s a long time ago.
Can survivors stay anonymous when they bring a claim?
Survivors may apply for permission to proceed under a pseudonym (e.g. Jane Doe) where the risk of disclosure of their identity would be such as to give rise to serious privacy issues. The court must balance the survivor’s privacy interest against the public nature of the judicial process and the defendant’s right to defend. Anonymity is not automatic, and in some cases some degree of disclosure of identifying information may still be required during litigation. In Grazi, the plaintiffs sought permission to proceed anonymously based on the nature of the allegations and the potential for very serious emotional damage if their identities were made public. Anyone considering bringing such a case would be well advised to consider confidentiality at the outset and how their medical records, depositions, and court filings would be handled.
What sort of compensation might be available in a sexual abuse case?
Compensation could be in the form of damages for emotional distress, psychological injury, medical and counseling costs, lost earnings, and any other losses which can be proven to have been caused by the abuse. Depending on the cause of action and the evidence available, punitive damages and other statutory remedies may also be available. A civil claim is in essence a claim for accountability and compensation for actual harm. The value of the claim cannot be determined from the allegations alone. The court and the defendant will consider the nature of the conduct, its consequences, the strength of the evidence, any available defenses, and each defendant’s level of responsibility. A claim for sexual abuse can be made even in the absence of any visible physical injury.
Why Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Sexual abuse claims against a doctor are not the same as a standard personal injury claim. They can be extremely complicated because of medical records, questions of professional standards, the institutional nature of the relationship, the age of the incidents, and the potential for very sensitive testimony. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP has many years of experience representing injured people throughout New York and handling complex claims involving negligence, institutional liability, and serious personal injury.
We review the circumstances of the alleged injury, identify the likely responsible parties, work to preserve evidence, and assess available insurance and other sources of recovery. We are fully aware that the survivor is entitled to be treated with dignity and that the decision to go to court is ultimately theirs. We offer a very individualized approach, direct access to our lawyers, and an English- and Spanish-speaking team.
If you believe you were sexually abused during fertility treatment by Dr. Richard Grazi or any other medical professional in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, please get in touch with Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for a free and confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis in qualifying cases and will not take any attorney’s fee unless we recover.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).
Don’t be a victim twice.