London physiotherapist facing $2.65 million lawsuit over alleged sexual abuse
London physiotherapist facing $2.65 million lawsuit over alleged sexual abuse
A logo for the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. (Source: College of Physiotherapists of Ontario/Twitter)
A London, Ont. physiotherapist is facing a $2.65 million lawsuit filed by a female patient who claims he sexually abused her during appointments earlier this year.
Dillon J. Richards and Preferred Rehab Physiotherapy - Active Medical are named in a lawsuit involving $2.65 million in damages filed by the alleged victim. She claims he “repeatedly sexually abused, assaulted, harassed and exploited the plaintiff,” the claim reads.
The statement of claim includes allegations that have not yet been tested in court.
Richards is also expected to attend a disciplinary hearing by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario on similar charges related to the same alleged events.
The alleged victim said he sent nude photos to her and engaged in sexual intercourse with her during appointments at the Preferred Rehab Physiotherapy - Active Medical clinic in London.
The claim file states she did not give consent.
The alleged victim was 21-years-old at the time and has not been identified in the lawsuit.
Richards was previously working as a physiotherapist at Preferred Rehab Physiotherapy and a graduating teaching assistant at Western University.
A Western University spokesperson told CTV News London that Richards is no longer working at the school, and said in an emailed statement, “His term as a teaching assistant ended in May 2022.”
The notice of hearing from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario states that between Jan. 1 to March 1, 2022, “Richards engaged in professional misconduct,” by allegedly sexually abusing a patient, allegedly failing to maintain the standards of practice and allegedly falsifying a record.
In January the patient went to the clinic for an assessment with Richards because she was complaining of sciatica pain. She continued to go to the clinic to get treatment by Richards until the end of February, the claim said.
During that time, Richards allegedly engaged in sexual communications with the patient through social media by sending nude images of himself and requesting the same from the patient, the claim reads.
Richards allegedly had sex with the patient during their appointments more than once.
After he became aware that the woman planned on reporting sexual abuse to the College of Physiotherapists, Richards allegedly altered her chart, making false entries in order to discredit her, the claim states.
Richards was terminated by Preferred Rehab Physiotherapy on Feb. 24 after the patient came forward with allegations, according to the College of Physiotherapists.
Richard’s attorney Rebecca Young and Preferred Rehab Physiotherapy did not respond to CTV News London’s request for comment.
On CTVNews.ca and YouTube: Health journalist Avis Favaro joins our Trend Line podcast, for an in-depth episode dedicated to the growing crises facing the Canadian health-care system.
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
The federal government is expected to introduce a law as early as Thursday to delay the extension of medically assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder.
A hearing is underway to determine if Udo Haan is not criminally responsible for the death of his wife Edra Haan, who was found in the aftermath of the 2018 house explosion in Kitchener, Ont.
As the City of Barrie prepares for extreme cold to move through the area later this week, local shelters are working on expanding space for those in need.
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
Two weeks before Valentine's Day, OpenTable has released a list of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada for 2023, based on more than one million reviews by OpenTable diners.
A private high school west of Montreal is promising to make changes, following allegations that administrators for years ignored complaints about racist bullying targeting two Black students.
Over a year after the death of a 15-year-old student at a Rosemont high school drew protestors who reportedly linked her death to the COVID-19 vaccine, a Quebec coroner has confirmed it was caused by a pre-existing condition.
The Nova Scotia government has entered into a $365-million, 10-year agreement with a health technology firm for the design and management of a digital medical record program first announced more than seven years ago.
As the temperature started to drop in the province over the weekend, many Manitobans were cranking up their home heaters, according to numbers from Manitoba Hydro.
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
Calgarians considering celebrating Valentine's Day with a meal at a local eatery have plenty to choose from, including nine named among the most romantic in Canada.
A second key player of Alberta's last government revealed their landing spot on Wednesday: former premier Jason Kenney is joining Bennett Jones' Calgary office.
A second key player of Alberta's last government revealed their landing spot on Wednesday: former premier Jason Kenney is joining Bennett Jones' Calgary office.
A B.C. man who stabbed his wife in the back was acquitted of aggravated assault after a judge found he was likely to have been "effectively asleep" at the time.
A logo for the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. (Source: College of Physiotherapists of Ontario/Twitter)
