Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan attorneys Alexandria MacMaster and Brenda Harkavy secured a jury verdict for a woman whose case involved allegations of inappropriate touching by a doctor during an appointment for a sore throat when she was 15 years old.
The verdict was returned on October 29, 2026, following a two week trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Warren County. It followed years of litigation over a medical visit that took place in 2014.
A sore throat appointment and questions about patient care
The plaintiff, identified in court filings as Jane Doe to protect her privacy, attended the appointment at Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Center in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with her mother.
According to the plaintiff’s pretrial filing, pediatrician Jagdish Chugh examined and touched intimate areas of her body without medical justification, without explaining that the examination would involve that contact, and without obtaining consent from her or her mother. The filing also alleged that no chaperone from the office was present in the exam room during the examination.
The lawsuit asserted claims involving medical malpractice, lack of informed consent, and negligence. It also challenged the practice’s training and supervision of its providers and its safeguards for minor patients. The plaintiff alleged lasting emotional and psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
“She was 15 years old and went to the doctor for a sore throat. She should have been able to trust that the doctor examining her would not deviate from the standard of care and violate her,” said Alexandria MacMaster, partner at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. “It took courage to bring this case and speak about something so painful. We are proud to have stood beside her and case before a jury to hear her voice.”
A jury verdict after years of litigation
The civil action was filed in 2021. Following years of litigation, MacMaster and Harkavy took the case through a two week trial in late October 2026. The jury returned a verdict in the plaintiff’s favor against the doctor and the medical practice that employed him.
Reaching trial required sustained preparation and a commitment to pursuing a difficult case. For the client, it meant continuing through a lengthy legal process to have her claims heard.
“Cases like Jane Doe’s requires attorneys who are passionate and committed to seeking justice and who are willing to fight every battle on their client’s behalf” said Brenda Harkavy, senior trial attorney at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. “The greatest victory in this case was having a unanimous jury rendering a verdict on her behalf, telling her that they believed her and that she should be compensated for the damages she suffered.
Inappropriate touching by a doctor: understanding your options
A patient may leave an examination unsure whether touching was medically appropriate or whether the provider adequately explained what the examination would involve. It can be difficult to question the care received from someone trusted to provide medical treatment in a position of power.
You do not need to know which legal claim fits your experience before speaking with an attorney. Our attorneys can review the circumstances, investigate the care provided, and explain your options.
Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan represents survivors of sexual abuse by doctors and other medical providers, as well as patients harmed by negligent medical care. The firm also investigates whether failures by a medical practice or another institution contributed to a patient’s injuries at the hands of a physician.
This case reflects the firm’s commitment to staying with clients through difficult litigation and preparing to take their cases to trial. That work can take years, and choosing a legal team prepared to see it through matters.
If you experienced inappropriate touching by a doctor or another medical provider, contact Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan for a confidential consultation. You can discuss what happened and ask questions about your legal options.