Physical Therapist and Masseur Face Consequences for Sexually Abusing Women in the Bay Area
Within the past month, a masseur and a physical therapist faced consequences for sexually abusing women in the Bay Area. While the vast majority of masseurs and physical therapists are responsible, respectful, and professional, these career paths tend to attract abusive individuals for somewhat obvious reasons. During a private massage or physical therapy session, it is all too easy to sexually abuse vulnerable women with no witnesses. These two recent cases show that it is possible to ensure consequences for abusers. If you were abused by a masseur or a physical therapist, consider speaking with a Bay Area sexual abuse lawyer.
Masseur Faces Sexual Battery Charges in Napa County
On September 16th, 2026, The Mercury News reported that a masseur in Napa County was facing multiple rape and sexual battery charges. Officials say that the 50-year-old masseur sexually assaulted two different women just days before his arrest. The first victim called the Napa Police Department the day of her alleged sexual assault, telling investigators that she had to physically push the masseur away from her during the incident. The woman says he then ran from the room, giving her enough time to get dressed and leave the building.
The next day, police received a separate report of sexual assault from a different woman, arriving at the scene shortly thereafter. The woman told the police officers what had happened, and both victims were later able to identify the man as their abuser. This led to his eventual arrest. He now faces multiple charges, including “rape of a person unconscious of the nature of the act.”
In California, this is an offense that applies when a victim is unconscious or unaware of their own rape. It may also apply if the abuser intentionally misleads their victim about whether the rape is medically or professionally necessary. For example, a masseur may tell a patient that sexual penetration is an advanced massage technique. They may also “accidentally” penetrate a patient and later claim that it was a mistake during a legitimate massage.
This type of deception is completely illegal under California law, and those who experience it during massages have every right to report it to the necessary authorities. This abuse may also lead to civil lawsuits against the massage establishments that hire these abusive individuals.
California Hospital Pays $18.5 Million Settlement for Sexual Abuse by Physical Therapist
On September 28th, the Modesto Bee reported that a California hospital had paid seven women a collective $18.5 million to settle sexual abuse claims. The claims involved a physical therapist accused of sexually abusing his female patients. According to the lawsuit, the physical therapist took these patients to private treatment rooms, ordered them to take off all their clothes, and sexually abused them under the pretense of legitimate medical treatment.
Patients say that this individual groped their breasts, their groin area (including their labia), their inner thighs, and their buttocks for no medical purpose. The lawsuit also accuses the therapist of photographing their nude bodies without their permission and in secret.
The women said they received no help from hospital staff, even after reporting the therapist on five separate occasions. They alleged that some of these staff members even witnessed the misconduct directly and did nothing. It goes without saying that there is no need for a physical therapist to touch a patient’s labia or breasts, and one would think that an ordinary hospital staff member would see that this was wrong.
Some of these patients said they first began reporting this abuse in 2007. This has been a long and arduous road to justice for many of these women, and their wait highlights the inaction of the hospital. While the physical therapist was eventually terminated and stripped of his license, this only occurred recently in 2026.
If It Feels Wrong, Speak Out
As a patient, it is often difficult to raise concerns about the kind of treatment you’re receiving. After all, you are not a medical professional, and you do not know what is “normal” and what is not. Regardless of what your doctor, masseur, or therapist is telling you, if it feels wrong, then it is wrong.
You don not need to be a medical expert to object to treatment you do not feel comfortable with. As a patient, you have medical autonomy. You are in the driver’s seat. Report abuse as soon as it occurs, and consider speaking with a lawyer if no one seems to be taking you seriously.
Can a Bay Area Sexual Abuse Lawyer Help Me?
A Bay Area sexual abuse lawyer may be able to help if you were abused by your masseur or physical therapist. While these two cases have made headlines, the truth is that many other masseurs, physical therapists, chiropractors, and doctors are probably engaging in this misconduct as well. Send a clear message that this is totally unacceptable. Contact Mary Alexander & Associates at 866-450-3473 for more information on how to sue the people responsible for your abuse and recover fair compensation. You can also contact us online.
