To the women who placed their trust in Dr. Mona Ghosh, the recent news of her prison sentence for fraudulent practices may have brought a complex wave of emotions. There might be a sense of validation that a crime was officially recognized, but it may be mixed with anger, confusion, and a profound sense of loss. The headlines speak of Medicaid fraud and financial restitution to insurance companies.
But for the women at the heart of this story—for you—the harm inflicted goes far beyond dollars and cents. It was a deep, personal betrayal that violated the sacred trust between a patient and her doctor.
Everyone’s hearts go out to those impacted by these revelations. We understand that the end of Dr. Ghosh’s criminal case is not the end of your story. In fact, for many, it may be the beginning of a journey toward healing and finding a different kind of justice through a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit.
The Criminal Case Was About Fraud. Your Case is About You.
It’s important to understand the fundamental difference between the criminal case that just concluded and the potential civil claims you, as a survivor, may have.
The criminal justice system focused on the crimes Dr. Ghosh committed against the government and insurance companies. The prosecution’s goal was to prove she broke the law through fraudulent billing and to punish her for those actions with prison time. The financial restitution ordered by the judge—$1.5 million to insurers and a shockingly low $605.02 to patients—reflects this narrow focus. The court was calculating specific, provable financial losses related to the fraud, not the immense personal, physical, and emotional toll her actions took on her patients.
To be clear: the criminal court’s ruling does not define the value of your experience. It does not measure your pain, your fear, your anxiety, or the lasting impact on your body and your ability to trust.
A civil claim, on the other hand, is entirely different. It is a lawsuit filed by an individual to hold a person or entity accountable for the harm they caused to that individual. This is where your story, your pain, and your personal damages take center stage. This is your opportunity to seek justice not for financial fraud, but for the profound personal injuries you have suffered.
What Does “Harm” Really Mean in a Case Like This?
Many of Dr. Ghosh’s former patients may be questioning the extent of their own harm. Perhaps you were a patient but aren’t sure if an unnecessary procedure was performed. Perhaps you feel emotionally violated but have no lasting physical scars. It is crucial to know that harm in a personal injury or medical malpractice case is defined very broadly.
You may have a valid claim if you experienced any of the following:
- Unnecessary Medical Procedures: Were you told you had abnormal test results and pressured into a biopsy or another procedure? Did you undergo a procedure like an endometrial ablation under false pretenses or without your full, informed consent? These are serious physical violations.
- Procedures Performed Without Consent: The news report details a harrowing account of a woman who received an endometrial ablation while under anesthesia, a procedure she never agreed to. Any medical touching or procedure performed without your explicit, informed consent is a form of battery.
- Lasting Physical Consequences: For some women, the unnecessary procedures performed by Dr. Ghosh have had devastating, life-altering consequences, including affecting their fertility. Any long-term physical ailment, pain, or change in your bodily function resulting from her actions constitutes significant harm.
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma: The betrayal of trust by a medical professional, especially in a vulnerable setting like an OB/GYN’s office, can cause deep and lasting emotional trauma. This can manifest as anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a new, pervasive fear of doctors and medical settings. This is a real, compensable injury.
- Financial Costs: You may have paid co-pays for fraudulent visits or unnecessary procedures. You may have taken time off work for appointments and recoveries. You may now face the cost of future medical care to monitor your health or correct a problem caused by Dr. Ghosh.
If any of these experiences resonate with you, even in a small way, your feelings are valid. You are a survivor of medical misconduct, and you have the right to explore your legal options.
Seeking Justice Through a Civil Case
We often hear clients say, “It’s not about the money.” We understand that completely. No check, no matter the amount, can erase the trauma, restore lost fertility, or give you back the sense of security that was stolen from you.
So, if it’s not about the money, what is it about? Pursuing a civil claim is about using the only tool the justice system provides to achieve several powerful and essential goals:
Accountability
A civil lawsuit forces the responsible party to answer for the full scope of the harm they caused you as an individual. The criminal case held Dr. Ghosh accountable to the state; a civil case holds her, and potentially her clinic as an entity, accountable to you. It is a powerful declaration that what happened to you was wrong and that there is a real-world consequence for it.
Justice
For many survivors, justice is about having their personal story heard and validated by the legal system. It is about the system officially recognizing the physical pain, the emotional distress, and the life-altering impact of the defendant’s actions. The paltry restitution in the criminal case felt like an insult; a civil settlement or verdict is the justice system’s way of acknowledging the true, human cost.
Providing Resources for Healing and Stability
While money cannot undo the past, it can provide the resources you need to build a better future. Compensation from a civil claim can provide the financial security to:
- Afford quality therapy or counseling to process the trauma.
- Pay for any future medical treatments or corrective procedures.
- Cover wages you lost while dealing with this ordeal.
- Provide a cushion for your family as you navigate an uncertain future, particularly if your ability to have children was impacted.
- It is not a "windfall." It is a tool to restore the stability that was taken from you and to ensure you have what you need to move forward on your own terms.
Reclaiming Your Power
Being a patient of Dr. Ghosh may have left you feeling powerless and victimized. Taking legal action is a way to turn from a passive survivor of another’s misconduct into an active agent in your own story. It is a choice to stand up, speak your truth, and demand accountability. For many, this is a vital and empowering step in the healing process.
The Importance of Legal Representation
The thought of navigating the legal system, especially after everything you have been through, is understandably daunting. You may feel exhausted, fragile, and completely unequipped to take on another fight.
This is precisely why you call a lawyer.
A compassionate personal injury lawyer does not add to your burden; they lift it. Your job is to focus on your health, your family, and your well-being. Your lawyer’s job is to handle everything else. You are not hiring someone to give you a to-do list. You are retaining a dedicated advocate, a shield, and a guide to do the heavy lifting for you.
When you work with a firm like Abels & Annes, here is what we do for you:
- We Listen: Your first consultation is a safe, confidential space for you to share as much or as little of your story as you are comfortable with. We will listen with compassion and empathy.
- We Investigate Thoroughly: We will immediately get to work gathering all the necessary evidence. This includes obtaining your complete medical records from Dr. Ghosh’s practice and any other providers, identifying all improper procedures and fraudulent billing, and building a clear timeline of events.
- We Hire the Experts: Proving medical malpractice requires testimony from other qualified medical professionals. We have a network of respected medical experts who can review your case and provide the expert opinion needed to establish how Dr. Ghosh’s care fell below the accepted standard.
- We Handle All Communications: You will not have to speak with Dr. Ghosh’s attorneys or her insurance company. We handle all phone calls, letters, emails, and negotiations. We protect you from the stress and intimidation tactics that insurance companies often use.
- We Manage All Deadlines and Paperwork: The legal system is a maze of complex rules, filings, and deadlines. We take care of all of it, ensuring your case is filed correctly and managed professionally from start to finish.
- We Build Your Case for Its Full Value: We will work with you and with experts to document the full extent of your damages—physical, emotional, and financial—to ensure we are fighting for compensation that truly reflects everything you have lost.
- We Become Your Champion: Our role is to fight for you tirelessly. Whether at the negotiating table or in a courtroom, we are your voice, your advocate, and your unwavering ally.
You have been through enough. You do not have to do this alone. The right legal team will walk beside you every step of the way, providing support and strength when you need it most.
Why It Is Critical to Act Now
We understand the hesitation to act. It can feel like too much, too soon. However, it is vital to know that the law imposes a strict deadline on your right to file a lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.
In Illinois, the time limit for filing a personal injury or medical malpractice claim can be surprisingly short. Once that window closes, your right to seek justice through the civil courts is permanently lost, regardless of the strength of your case.
Beyond the legal deadline, there are practical reasons for acting quickly:
- Evidence Can Disappear: Medical records can be lost or destroyed over time. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to secure the proof needed to build a strong case.
- Witnesses’ Memories Fade: Other former patients or employees of the clinic may have information that is helpful to your case. Over time, people move, and their memories of specific events become less clear.
- Connecting Harm to Action: The more time that passes, the easier it is for a defendant’s attorneys to argue that your injuries or emotional distress were caused by something else.
The most important thing you can do right now is to understand your specific deadline. A free, confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney can clarify how much time you have and help you preserve your right to make a choice later. You do not have to decide to file a lawsuit today, but you should take the step to ensure that option remains open to you.
Why Choose Abels & Annes? Our Commitment to Survivors of Medical Abuse
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are more than just lawyers; we are advocates for the injured. For years, we have been fighting for the people of Chicago, helping hundreds of survivors recover the compensation and justice they deserve after their lives were turned upside down by the negligence of others.
Our track record speaks to our dedication and skill:
- Recognized by Our Peers: Our attorneys have been named to the Top 100 Lawyer List published by Super Lawyers, a testament to our professional achievement and peer recognition.
- Highest Possible Ratings: We hold a 10.0 Superb personal injury lawyer rating from AVVO, reflecting our experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct.
- Proven Results: We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, prestigious groups of trial lawyers who have won million and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. We have won millions for our clients, and we are ready to fight for you.
Our experience extends across a wide range of personal injury claims, including cases involving the deepest violations of trust, such as sexual abuse. We understand the sensitivity, discretion, and fierce advocacy that cases like these require.
We also believe that every survivor deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means your consultation is always free, and if you choose to hire us, you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation in your case.
There is no financial risk to you. Our interests are completely aligned with yours. We only succeed when you do.
Discuss Your Case with Our Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers Today
You are a survivor. What happened to you was a profound betrayal, and while the criminal case may be over, your path to justice may just be beginning. You have rights, you have options, and you have the power to decide what comes next.Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Let us make it easier. We invite you to contact us today at (312) 924-7575 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation, and completely confidential consultation. Let us listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the clear, honest guidance you need to make the best decision for you.