Johns Hopkins Settles Dr. Nikita Levy Class Action Lawsuit

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A $190 million class action settlement between Johns Hopkins Hospital and a class of women who were allegedly photographed or videotaped during an examination by gynecologist Dr. Nikita Levy received preliminary approval on Monday.

The Johns Hopkins class action lawsuit alleges that Dr. Levy secretly videotaped or photographed them or engaged in physical boundary violations while treating patients. The plaintiffs allege that Johns Hopkins should have known that Dr. Levy was engaging in unlawful conduct by photographing or videotaping his patients without their knowledge or consent. The class action lawsuit charged Johns Hopkins with invasion of privacy, emotional distress and negligence.

Dr. Levy took his life in February 2013 after a female colleague reported her suspicions that he carried tiny cameras concealed in pens and used them to record patients during pelvic exams. He was 54 at the time of his death and had worked within the Johns Hopkins Medicine System for more than two decades.

During a search of Dr. Levy’s home and office, investigators reportedly found more than 1,200 videos and 140 images of patients. All former patients of Dr. Levy are potential members of the secret camera class action lawsuit.

On Monday, Judge Sylvester B. Cox preliminarily certified a Class of all former patients of Dr. Nikita Levy, or their personal representatives, heirs or assigns, who have any claim against Dr. Levy or Johns Hopkins related to Dr. Levy’s photographing, videotaping or boundary violations while he was acting as an actual or apparent agent, servant or employee of Johns Hopkins.

Johns Hopkins has denied the allegations but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of ongoing litigation. The hospital released a statement indicating that the class action settlement would be paid through its insurance policy and would not “in any way compromise the ability of the health system to serve its patients, staff and community.”

The Johns Hopkins class action settlement is one of the largest on record related to sexual misconduct by a doctor. Around 8,000 women have joined the class action lawsuit.

To be eligible for benefits from the Dr. Nikita Levy class action settlement, Class Members must submit a registration form either online, via phone or by mail. The registration form can be found at the settlement website. There is currently no deadline to submit this form.

A final fairness hearing for the Johns Hopkins class action settlement has been scheduled for Sept. 19, 2014.

More information about the Dr. Nikita Levy class action settlement was not immediately available. To learn more about the class action settlement, click here or visit www.DrLevyClassAction.com.

The plaintiffs are represented by Janet Jenner & Suggs LLC, The Cochran Firm DC, Silverman Thompson Slutkin & White LLC, Cardaro & Peek LLC, Snyder & Snyder and the Law Office of A. Dwight Pettit PA.

The Dr. Nikita Levy Class Action Lawsuit is Jane Doe No. 1, et al. v. The Johns Hopkins Hospital, et al., Case No. 24-C-13-001041, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

UPDATE: On Sept. 19, 2014, a Baltimore judge approved the $190 million class action settlement between Johns Hopkins Hospital and up to 9,5000 of Dr. Nikita Levy’s former patients.