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Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Doctor Claims His Patients Defamed Him

CHICAGO (CN) - A suburban Chicago doctor sued three of his patients, claiming they falsely accused him of touching them sexually, costing him his medical license and his home.

Dr. Mahesh Parikh sued Chrissie Verba, Laura Kay, Carole Gerloff, and Tina Kay in separate complaints in Cook County Court. Tina Kay is his former patient Laura Kay's mother. She testified to a medical board in her daughter's case, Parikh says.

Parikh claims he has made more than $1 million a year from his solo neurology practice in Crystal Lake, Ill., since 1986.

The lawsuits make similar allegations.

"On or around August 24, 2009, Dr. Parikh treated Laura Kay (following some prior visits) for symptoms including nausea and headaches," one complaint states.

"Later that afternoon on August 24, 2009, Ms. Kay filed a police report alleging battery against Dr. Parikh, and made false allegations of sexual misconduct against Dr. Parikh that she alleged had occurred while under his treatment.

"Ms. Kay's false statements did trigger an investigation into Dr. Parikh's fitness to practice medicine by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

"Based on Ms. Kay's false statements regarding her visit to Dr. Parikh's office, the IDFPR filed a complaint against Dr. Parikh on October 29, 2010 for misconduct. Dr. Parikh strongly denied any misconduct in the course of his treatment of Ms. Kay.

"A corresponding administrative hearing was held over three days in June, August, and September of 2011 with regards to the complaint filed against Dr. Parikh by the IDFPR.

"On November 9, 2011, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a report and recommendations. In the report, the ALJ stated that the IDFPR failed to prove its charges against Dr. Parikh.

"On December 21, 2011, the medical disciplinary board of the IDFPR adopted the ALJ's findings of fact and conclusions of law and made the same recommendation that no disciplinary action be taken against Dr. Parikh to the Director of the IDFPR, Jay Stewart."

Despite the board's recommendation, Stewart "made the unilateral decision to suspend Dr. Parikh indefinitely from practicing medicine, with the option to file a petition to regain his license after one calendar year," according to the complaint.

When he filed for reinstatement in April this year, the IDFPR told him that two other patients, Christine Verba and Carol Gerloff, had accused him of touching them sexually.

Parikh claims the women's "false and defamatory statements regarding Dr. Parikh has severely damaged Dr. Parikh's reputation as a physician and may serve as an impetus to further unfairly deprive Dr. Parikh of his license if the statements are presented against Dr. Parikh at the hearing determining whether he will regain his license to practice medicine."

"As a result of his license to practice medicine being suspended, Dr. Parikh has already lost more than an estimated two millions dollars in revenue and further, with Dr. Parikh serving as the breadwinner of the family and being unable to practice medicine, Dr. Parikh's family has lost numerous properties to foreclosure and has been forced to sell off assets, including his residential property. If Dr. Parikh's petition to regain his license is denied as a result of Ms. Verba's defamatory statements, he will further be damaged with future lost profits and additional damage to his reputation as a physician," the complaint states.

Parikh's reinstatement hearing is scheduled to take place in the next few months.

He seeks an injunction blocking the women's testimony and $5 million in punitive damages for defamation.

He is represented by Sachin Shah with the Agrawal Firm.

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