A federal jury has ruled in favor of orthopedic surgeon John Abraham, MD, who alleged Thomas Jefferson University conducted a gender-biased investigation against him, according to a Dec. 7 report from the The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dr. Abraham was forced to take a leave of absence from Jefferson and suspended from Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, where he was a partner, after a resident physician accused him of sexual assault. Thomas Jefferson University conducted a Title IX investigation into the incident, which Dr. Abraham felt was biased against him. He eventually resigned from Jefferson, where he was an associate professor. Rothman terminated his employment for failing to bring in the $1.3 million in annual revenue required of partners, according to the report.
Dr. Abraham argued in court that he was the victim of sexual assault in the incident and that Jefferson failed to hear his complaint or pause the Title IX investigation until he could provide his side. After a four-day trial, jurors determined that Dr. Abraham's civil rights were violated and Jefferson leadership discriminated against him because he is a male and intentionally interfered with his ability to earn money as a Rothman surgeon and partner.
Dr. Abraham sought $5 million in damages from Thomas Jefferson University.
On Dec. 11, the jury awarded Dr. Abraham with $15 million, according to a report from Law360.