Can you sue Richard Grazi for sexual abuse that took place years ago in Brooklyn?
Former fertility patients who believe they were sexually abused by Dr. Richard V. Grazi of Brooklyn may still have a legal path even if the abuse allegedly took place over 20 years ago. New York’s normal statute-of-limitations rules would generally limit the time an injured person has to bring a civil action. There are, however, special laws in place which provide for the continuation of claims in cases of sexual abuse and gender motivated violence. That issue has become particularly pertinent after a lawsuit filed in September 2026 by three former patients against Dr. Grazi, Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine, and Maimonides Medical Center. The plaintiffs are claiming that they were the victims of sexual abuse during fertility exams in the early 2000s. The claim is being brought under New York City’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law. Dr. Grazi has, of course, denied the allegations, which have not been established in court.
On Jan. 29, 2026, NYC passed Local Law 50 of 2026, which created a new legal framework and an 18-month window of opportunity for qualifying historical gender motivated violence claims. Given that the window is limited and the legal issues are still very much alive, survivors should get an individualized assessment as soon as possible. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP provides free, confidential consultations at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).
Can former patients bring a sexual abuse lawsuit against Richard Grazi in 2026?
Yes, some former patients may be able to bring sexual abuse lawsuits in 2026 (including for incidents that occurred long ago), if their circumstances fall within the appropriate statute. NYC Local Law 50 of 2026 is the one which is of particular relevance in that it deals with certain gender-based violence which occurred before January 9th, 2022. It permits qualifying claimants to bring civil claims even where the otherwise applicable limitation period would have expired. Eligibility is not automatic. A claimant must show that the conduct falls within the statute, that the action is timely under the applicable provision, and that the named defendants are liable. Courts may also face challenges to the validity and application of the revival legislation. One should not assume a claim is either time-barred or otherwise timeable without reviewing the facts and the applicable law.
What is New York City Local Law 50 of 2026?
Local Law 50 of 2026 amended NYC’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law by adding to the Administrative Code § 10-1104.1. The provision covers qualifying crimes of violence of a gender motivated nature that occurred before January 9, 2022. It permits civil claims against any party alleged to have committed, directed, enabled, participated in, or conspired in the covered conduct, subject to applicable statutory requirements. The law took effect on January 29, 2026, and provides 18 months to bring claims under the new section. It also provides for the amendment or re-filing of certain previously filed claims. This is a very significant piece of legislation for survivors who were adults at the time the abuse occurred and whose claims would otherwise have been time-barred under the normal rules of limitation.
What is the deadline for filing a lawsuit under Local Law 50 of 2026?
The statute provides an 18-month filing period from its effective date of January 29, 2026. That brings us to a July 2027 deadline for qualifying claims under the new provision. Of course, the actual deadline in any individual case will be determined by the law and judicial interpretation, so anyone contemplating litigation should confirm the precise filing deadline with counsel well in advance. Don’t wait until the end of the 18 months. You will need time to investigate the allegations, identify the correct defendants, obtain the medical records, assess the institutional relationships, and prepare legally sufficient pleadings. Older claims will also require a careful look at the applicable revival provision and any potential constitutional or statutory challenges.
Does the new law apply to alleged abuse which took place in the early 2000s?
Potentially. Local Law 50 is very specifically targeted at qualifying gender motivated violence which occurred before January 9th 2022 (so would include conduct which allegedly occurred in the early 2000s). That makes it potentially applicable to the period referenced in the lawsuit against Dr Richard Grazi.
The date of the incident is only one eligibility criterion. The conduct must meet the statutory definition; the claimant must establish the requisite link to gender-based violence, and the claim must be brought against a legally responsible party. Defendants can challenge whether the facts in issue satisfy those requirements or whether the revival statute can be constitutionally applied to the claim.
What’s the difference between the Adult Survivors Act and the 2026 New York City law?
The Adult Survivors Act was a New York State law that created a one-year window of opportunity for adults who had suffered qualifying sexual abuse to file otherwise time-barred civil claims. The revival window opened on November 24, 2022, and closed on November 24, 2023. The closure of that window means that, in general, a survivor cannot file a new claim today simply by relying on the Adult Survivors Act’s expired revival provision. NYC’s 2026 law is a separate municipal law with different statutory language, different eligibility requirements, and a different filing window. It does not simply re-open the Adult Survivors Act. To file, a claimant must qualify under the City law or another applicable legal theory. The relationship between state revival statutes and municipal law is a major issue in the current legal landscape, so current case law is essential.
Can you sue if you didn’t realize the examination was sexual abuse until years later?
A patient who only very recently realized that an earlier medical examination may have been like sexual misconduct should get legal advice. The delayed realization doesn’t automatically extend every filing deadline. It’s a case-by-case exercise. The relevant statute, any available tolling provision and the facts of the patient’s own knowledge will have to be considered. A delay in recognition is quite understandable in the context of fertility treatment. It’s possible the patient thought the examination was medically necessary, particularly where the doctor was in a position of authority. Some patients may only question the doctor’s conduct after hearing allegations against other patients. Those circumstances may explain the delay in reporting, but they don’t, in themselves, entitle a claim that would otherwise be time-barred to proceed.
Does the Child Victims Act apply to allegations against a fertility doctor?
The Child Victims Act would be relevant in the case of alleged sexual abuse that occurred when the patient was under 18. NY law has special civil filing rules for qualifying childhood sexual abuse claims (CPLR 208 and 214-g being the relevant provisions). Whether the Act applies will depend on the claimant’s age at the time of the alleged conduct, the nature of the conduct, and the applicable law. The three plaintiffs in the Grazi case, as reported, were between 18 and 23 at the time of the alleged misconduct, so the circumstances as reported are those of adult allegations. A different former patient who was a minor at the time would be a different matter. The temporary revival window under the Child Victims Act has now closed, though other statutory filing rights may still be available.
Can you file a civil suit if the criminal statute of limitations has expired?
Yes. The expiry of a criminal prosecution time limit does not in itself preclude a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. Different statutes of limitation govern criminal and civil proceedings, with different burdens of proof and rules of procedure. New York City’s gender motivated violence law does not require a criminal prosecution or conviction as a prerequisite to a civil claim being a qualifying one. NBC New York reported that the Brooklyn DA believed the conduct described in the Grazi case was beyond the criminal filing period. That in itself does not establish that the plaintiffs have no timely civil claims. The civil court would have to consider that issue on its own.
Can you sue Genesis Fertility or Maimonides for abuse that occurred decades ago?
Potentially. A former patient may bring a claim against a fertility clinic or hospital if the applicable statute allows the claim and evidence shows the institution’s liability. Local Law 50 provides for certain parties who are alleged to have enabled, directed, participated in, or conspired in qualifying gender motivated violence. Simply employing, credentialing, or associating with an accused physician is not sufficient to establish institutional liability. The claimant must establish a basis for liability. Furthermore, the revival of a statutory gender motivated violence claim does not necessarily revive any separate common law negligence claims. Each cause of action and each defendant must be assessed on their own merits.
What happens if the medical records from 20 years ago don’t exist?
A lack of historical medical records does not, by itself, mean a claim is impossible. The patient can establish the dates of treatment, the relationship with the doctor, and the circumstances of the treatment through other evidence such as insurance records, billing records, correspondence, personal records, witness statements, and testimony. The absence of records will of course be a significant evidential hurdle. There will be disputes about whether certain examinations took place, who was present, and the nature of the treatment. The lawyer should determine whether the records were destroyed in accordance with normal retention procedures or whether they were improperly destroyed after a duty to preserve relevant records arose.
Can multiple former patients bring claims against the same fertility doctor?
Yes, multiple former patients could bring claims against the same doctor (either in separate actions or through an appropriate joint procedure). Whether their claims should be brought together depends on the applicable procedure, the common factual issues, their individual circumstances, and the court’s determination. Evidence of other allegations may be relevant to issues such as institutional notice or a disputed pattern of behavior but will not be admissible in all respects. Each claimant must still establish the elements of their own case. The court may also be minded to impose such restrictions as are necessary to protect privacy and to avoid unfair prejudice.
Can you file a lawsuit anonymously if you’re afraid of public exposure?
A survivor may apply to the court for permission to proceed under a pseudonym to protect sensitive personal information. The court will consider the nature of the allegations, the potential for harm from disclosure, the public interest in the court being open, and the defendant’s ability to put their case.
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance where allegations relate to intimate reproductive treatment or to sensitive personal and community relationships. An attorney can advise on how anonymity applications, protective orders, confidential medical records, and discovery may help protect privacy. No lawyer can guarantee that the survivor’s identity will remain confidential in all circumstances.
What compensation is available under New York City’s gender motivated violence law?
Qualified plaintiffs may pursue compensatory damages and other remedies available under New York City’s gender motivated violence law. Available remedies vary by the facts and applicable legal requirements and may include punitive damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, attorneys’ fees, and litigation costs. Compensatory damages can cover emotional distress, psychological harm, treatment costs, lost earnings, and other quantifiable damages. The evidence and the law will determine the amount available. It is by no means certain that a claim will succeed in a court of law and that any particular sum will be awarded.
What should former patients do if they believe they were sexually abused?
Former patients should seek legal advice as soon as possible to determine whether a claim is viable and what the time limits are for filing. They should keep all medical records, appointment records, correspondence, insurance statements, and any personal notes they may have made about the treatment. They should not alter the original records or throw away any correspondence that may be relevant. A survivor does not have to face the accused doctor before seeing an attorney. They do not need to decide at this stage whether to go to court. A confidential consultation can be extremely useful in establishing the options, the pros and cons of a civil action, and the steps needed to protect any existing rights.
Why Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Historical sexual abuse claims require careful legal analysis, thorough investigation, and a commitment to protecting the people who come forward. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP has decades of experience representing injury victims throughout New York and litigating complex claims involving serious personal harm, disputed evidence, institutional responsibility, and challenging defendants.
Our attorneys understand that older allegations present unique difficulties. Medical records may be incomplete, witnesses may be difficult to locate, and the applicable law may have changed since the alleged misconduct. We work to identify available evidence, investigate responsible parties, evaluate insurance and other potential sources of recovery, and prepare claims to withstand contested litigation. We also recognize that survivors need compassionate representation, personalized attention, and clear explanations of their legal choices.
If you received fertility treatment from Dr. Richard Grazi, Genesis Fertility, Maimonides Medical Center, or another New York medical provider and believe you experienced sexual misconduct, contact Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for a free, confidential consultation. Our firm serves clients throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, with English- and Spanish-speaking staff. We offer contingency fee representation in qualifying cases, with no attorney’s fee unless we recover.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).
Don’t Be a Victim Twice.