A Mount Laurel gynecologist and fertility specialist has been charged with sexually assaulting three patients during medical appointments, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. Dr. Jerome Check faces three counts of second-degree sexual assault, and investigators are asking anyone with additional information to come forward.
For patients concerned about their own experiences during an examination, the announcement may bring questions about what happened and what they can do next. Survivors of sexual assault during medical care may have the right to seek compensation through a New Jersey civil lawsuit, separate from any criminal prosecution.
What Are the Allegations Against Dr. Jerome Check?
Dr. Jerome Check. Photo courtesy of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
Burlington County prosecutors announced the charges against Check, 80, of Melrose Park, Pennsylvania. According to the prosecutor’s office, the alleged assaultsoccurred between December 2024 and March 2025 during appointments at Check’s Mount Laurel office. Authorities identified him as a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist and said he was alone in the examination room with each patient.
Investigators said two of the patients believed their appointments would be informational and had not expected to undergo an invasive examination until Check told them one was necessary.
Check was taken into custody in September and released following an appearance in Superior Court in Mount Holly. At the time of the announcement, prosecutors said the case was being prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment. The charges are allegations. Check is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Patients Have Rights During Intimate Medical Examinations
An appointment with a gynecologist or fertility specialist can involve sensitive questions and intimate examinations. Patients depend on their doctor to explain what is medically necessary and why, particularly when they are seeking help with infertility. Patients can ask what an examination involves, why it is being recommended, and whether there are alternatives. Agreeing to a consultation does not automatically mean agreeing to every examination or procedure a doctor proposes.
New Jersey also has rules addressing observers during sensitive examinations. The Attorney General’s Office has explained that updated rules require physicians to make patients aware of their right to an observer during breast, pelvic, genitalia, and rectal exams and ensure they understand that right before the examination begins. Those updated requirements do not establish that a violation occurred in this case. Any assessment of the alleged conduct must consider the evidence and the rules in effect at the time.
A patient who has questions about an examination does not need to determine on their own whether it was medically appropriate before seeking advice.
Can Survivors Sue a Doctor for Sexual Assault in New Jersey?
A survivor may be able to bring a civil lawsuit against a doctor for harm caused by sexual assault during medical care.
A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit serve different purposes. Prosecutors handle the criminal case, which determines whether the accused committed a crime. A civil lawsuit allows the person who was harmed to seek compensation from those legally responsible.
A criminal conviction is not generally required to pursue a civil claim. Civil claims ordinarily use a preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning the survivor must establish that their claim is more likely true than not. njcasa.org
Depending on the facts and applicable law, compensation may address:
- Medical treatment and counseling expenses.
- Lost wages and other financial losses.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and the continuing effects of the assault.
The available claims depend on the circumstances. An attorney can review what happened, identify potential claims, and explain what evidence may be needed.
How Long Do Adult Survivors Have to File a Civil Claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s general statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including medical negligence claims, is two years, subject to the discovery rule and other exceptions. Adult sexual abuse claims generally have a seven-year filing period from the date the survivor reasonably discovers the injury and its connection to the abuse.
Claims arising from the alleged conduct described here could qualify under both medical negligence and sexual abuse theories. The applicable deadline depends on the facts and the claims being pursued, so patients should not assume that every potential claim has a seven-year deadline.
Contacting an attorney promptly can help patients understand the deadlines that apply, preserve evidence, and protect their right to seek compensation. An ongoing criminal investigation should not be assumed to pause a civil filing deadline.
What Should Patients With Concerns About Dr. Check Do?
Investigators are continuing to seek possible additional victims and information about Jerome Check.
Patients concerned about an appointment can also preserve records that may help document their experience, including:
- Appointment confirmations and billing records.
- Patient portal messages, emails, and texts.
- Medical records and examination notes.
- Notes about what happened, what the doctor said, and who was present.
- Communications with anyone they told about the appointment.
You do not need to have every record or know the legal definition of what happened before speaking with an attorney.
Speak With a Lawyer About Sexual Assault During Medical Care
Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan represents survivors of sexual assault and abuse, including clients in New Jersey. Our crime victim attorneys investigate the actions of individuals and organizations that may bear legal responsibility for a survivor’s harm. If you have concerns about an appointment with Dr. Jerome Check or another medical provider, our sexual assault attorneys can listen to your experience, explain your legal options, and evaluate whether you may have a civil claim.
Call 215-399-9255 or contact Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan for a confidential consultation.