Dr. Tyler James Hurst, a former emergency room doctor at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana, faces felony sexual assault allegations for allegedly sexually assaulting his patients. In addition to criminal charges, victims of sexual assault can file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation.
If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted by Dr. Hurst or any other physician, it’s important to seek legal assistance immediately, as time may be limited.
Background of the Case
Dr. Tyler Hurst was employed as an emergency department doctor at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana. He was hired by a local physician’s group that had a contract to provide services at the hospital [1]. After the investigation for felony charges was announced, the emergency department revoked his clinical privileges.
Several patients have come forward and reported that Dr. Tyler Hurst had inappropriately touched them over the course of seven years. Some victims allege that Hurst gave them opiates before sexually assaulting them. At the time of this writing, there are at least 12 known victims so far [2].
To date, there are a number of charges against Dr. Hurst, including [3]:
- Four felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent
- Two misdemeanor counts of sexual assault
- One felony count of sexual assault
If convicted, Hurst faces up to 86 years in a Montana State Prison.
Hurst appeared in his initial court appearance virtually to plead not guilty while receiving treatment at a sex addiction treatment facility in Mississippi. The Missoula County attorney’s office requested that Dr. Hurst be required to turn himself in at the Missoula County Detention Facility by June 13th, 2024.
However, his criminal defense attorney argued that Dr. Hurst posed no threat to the community and wasn’t a flight risk. Missoula County District Court Judge Shane Vannatta sided with the defense, citing how it could be better to have the doctor in a separate area in Mississippi than his accusers and that he would remain in treatment for 30 more days.
Dr. Hurst is scheduled to appear with the prosecutors in court on June 20th, 2024, at 2 p.m. He faces the loss of his medical license, jail time, and a maximum potential fine of $61,500. However, prosecutors are still investigating. It is possible that other women and charges of felony sexual intercourse without consent will be added.
What Potential Plaintiffs Need to Know
As a victim of sexual assault, you have the right to pursue compensation for what happened and to seek legal counsel. However, due to the statute of limitations for filing civil cases and the ongoing criminal investigation, it is important to act quickly if you would like to file a civil lawsuit.
In Montana, you have three years from the date of the assault to file a civil case [11]. The sooner that you start, the easier it will be to collect and preserve evidence, including medical records, personal accounts, and any communication with the hospital or Dr. Hurst.
Many sexual abuse victims suffer profound emotional trauma afterward. Adding to the fact that these allegations are against a doctor, there is the profound betrayal of being sexually assaulted within a patient-doctor relationship. A sexual abuse lawyer from our team can help connect you with available resources for emotional and psychological support during the legal process.
What to Expect During Your Initial Consultation
When you first contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ll schedule a free initial consultation and evaluate your case. We want to hear about what happened to you and how it has impacted you. We’ll assess your case to see if we believe that we can help you with your case.
Some cases are not necessarily good candidates for pursuing legal actions, such as when a case is past the statute of limitations. We will let you know more about what options are available to you moving forward.
Seeking Justice and Compensation
If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can recover damages through the civil justice system. There are many different types of potential damages that victims can claim, including emotional trauma, medical expenses, and punitive damages. While you have the right to file a civil lawsuit on your own, experienced legal counsel can substantially help you to navigate this complex case.
Do I Have a Case?
To file a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against Dr. Tyler James Hurst and Community Medical Center, you generally need to have some evidence that the sexual assault occurred and that you suffered damages as a result. Your damages can include emotional distress, trauma, and pain and suffering. The primary purpose of filing a civil case is to recover compensation.
Unlike a criminal case, where defendants must be convicted as guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, civil sexual assault cases require a lower burden of proof. Instead, you’ll need a preponderance of evidence that the sexual assault likely occurred. This can include third-party witness testimony, the outcome of a criminal case, and text messages.
In Montana, you have the right to remain anonymous during the litigation process if you wish. In court documents, you can be listed by your initials or as “Jane Doe.”
Potential Value of a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The potential settlement size can vary based on a variety of factors, including the details of the incident, emotional distress, other damages, and available insurance or resources. In many cases, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, mental health treatment, pain and suffering, and other economic losses.
In this particular case, individuals who have been sexually assaulted by Dr. Hurst may have access to substantial settlements. The private equity firm that owns the hospital is worth billions of dollars and allowed this to take place at the hospital.
How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Can Help
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a strong track record for handling sexual abuse cases and fighting against powerful entities, such as hospitals and large, national employers. We have worked with our clients to recover millions of dollars on their behalf. We know that it’s difficult to manage the aftermath of serious injury or assault. We are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive legal support.
Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757. We are here to help you navigate this process. We can start by evaluating your case so you understand all of your legal options.
Related Practice Areas
- Doctor Sexual Abuse Lawyer
- Hospital Sex Abuse Lawyer
- Dr. Anderson, University of Michigan Sex Abuse Claims
- Dr. Barry Brock Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
- Dr. Fabio Ortega Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
- Dr. William Thompson Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
- Dr. Oumair Aejaz Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Resources: [1] KGVO, [2] NBC Montana, [3] KPAX, [4] Meet Montana, [5] Community Medical Center, [6] NBC Montana, [7] Apollo, [8] Companies Market Cap, [9] Private Equity Stakeholder Project, [10] Missoulian, [11] Montana Code
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