A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the University of New Brunswick due to allegations that a school physician committed sexual assault.
The allegations are in connection to Dr. Manoj Bhargava, who performs psychiatric services at the UNB Student Health Centre.
Among the proposed Class Members are students who allege Dr. Bhargava performed inappropriate sexual contact while they were receiving care from the school’s health centre.
The representative plaintiff claims that the accused prescribed her medication, which he claimed would affect her heart rate and blood pressure. There are also multiple allegations that Dr. Bhargava requested the patient remove their underwear or other pieces of clothing for him to obtain their blood pressure and heart rate.
The law firm that represents the plaintiffs stated in a news release that instances of sexual abuse committed by Dr. Bhargava were reported to UNB.
“This action concerns the systemic failures of UNB, resulting in widespread sexual assaults taking place within the university health care setting against a particularly vulnerable group of students,” says Erika Hachey, Class Counsel for the class members.
As a result, the lawsuit names UNB as the defendant and claims that the school is liable for the wrongdoings of physicians that work on campus.
A member of the university’s communications office states that “At this time UNB has not been formally served with any claim.”
