Two Patients File Lawsuit Against Santa Monica Doctor

By Lookout Staff

June 10, 2010 – Two former patients of Santa Monica’s Woman’s Breast Center filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Dr. Lawrence H. Resnick and his clinic, claiming that he “engaged in inappropriate, unprofessional and offensive conduct during breast examinations,” according to a statement.

Angela Crickman and Lisa Grebe also filed claims against their HMO, Bay Area Community Medical Group (“Bay Area”), alleging it referred them to the doctor “knowing that he had a pattern, practice and/or history of engaging in such conduct.”

According to the plaintiff’s attorney, Dr. Resnick had been sanctioned by the Medical Board of the State of California for engaging in unprofessional conduct during a breast examination.

Dr. Resnick did not return a call for comment.

Crickman and Grebe’s complaint alleges that Dr. Resnick was flirtatious and suggestive while conducting examinations. The actions constituted sexual harassment by a physician and intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

According to the lawsuit, Dr. Resnick told Crickman she had "really pretty eyes… They are such a beautiful color blue! Like a sky blue... but more gray."

He then told her, "You are really pretty. I love your hair. Your breasts are perfect. Just perfect!"

Gregory D. Helmer, the plaintiff’s attorney noted that “while these are allegations at this point, it is obviously critical that there be nothing – including the conduct of a physician – that might discourage patients from seeking diagnostic examinations.”

The seven patients who rated Dr. Resnick on Vitals, a website that rates doctors, gave Resnick and average of two and a half out of five stars.