Hackensack, New Jersey – In a significant legal ruling, a Bergen County Superior Court jury awarded $14 million in damages to three women who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Dr. Carl Renner during medical consultations. The verdict followed an intense eight-day trial where attorneys presented disturbing testimonies about the abuse that happened within the confines of a medical practice.
The court mandated that Renner, an internist, pay $8.9 million, while his associated medical group, Osler Medical Group of Hasbrouck Heights, is responsible for the remaining $6.3 million, which includes prejudgment interest. The women accused Renner of inappropriate kissing, touching, and other invasive behaviors during their visits.
The plaintiffs faced daunting challenges in proving their case, as they continued to see Renner despite the alleged assaults. Their lawyer, Kate Carballo, explained that the women remained Renner’s patients out of necessity—they depended on the medications he prescribed, faced high costs in transferring medical records, and received misguided advice from family members to disregard the misconduct.
Despite the emotional toll, Carballo described the trial as a profoundly personal and challenging endeavor, saying it was one of the most difficult tasks she has undertaken, comparable to raising her children. Her dedication stemmed from a deep sense of responsibility toward her clients, whom she had represented for more than five years. Carballo’s efforts were initially met with sleepless nights but she maintained a sharp focus in the courtroom, ultimately leading to a successful outcome that moved her to tears.
The abuse allegations became public in 2019 when one of the plaintiffs reported an assault during a medical exam. Thereafter, Renner’s medical license was permanently revoked in 2021, and he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual contact involving six women, landing him five years on probation.
Testimonies revealed that Osler Medical Group had been previously notified of Renner’s inappropriate conduct when he reportedly made sexual advances toward a staff member in 2008, which led to a police complaint. However, the medical group contended it was unaware of Renner’s behaviors during patient exams and maintained that the plaintiffs’ allegations lacked credibility due to their continued consultations with Renner over the years.
The jury assigned 60% of the liability to Renner and 40% to Osler Medical in two of the cases, adjusting the percentages slightly in the third case. The compensation awarded includes significant sums for the plaintiffs’ pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, along with coverage for future medical costs and, in one instance, a substantial amount for loss-of-consortium.
Attorneys for Renner and Osler Medical did not provide comments on the case. Meanwhile, Carballo, normally focused on litigation related to car accidents and medical malpractice, acknowledged that venturing into this legal territory was out of her usual realm but underscored the importance of advocating for these women.
This story explores the deeply personal and legal complexities involved in cases of alleged sexual abuse, especially within trusted professional relationships, highlighting both the courage of the victims to come forward and the nuanced legal challenges they face.
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