A preliminary settlement has been reached by former patients of Dr. Peter LaFuria, right, and his insurance companies, an attorney for the patients said. (American Press)
Preliminary settlement reached by former patients of LaFuria
Last Modified: Friday, August 03, 2012 5:48 PM
By Johnathan Manning / American Press
A preliminary settlement has been reached by former patients of Dr. Peter LaFuria and his insurance companies, an attorney for the patients said.
The insurance companies have agreed to pay a total of $150,000, attorney Ron Richard said Tuesday.
LaFuria, a former Lake Area gynecologist, was arrested in 2007 and accused of taking photographs of the genitals of patients.
In Dec. of 2007, patients reached a class-action settlement and received $3.75 million of LaFuria’s personal assets. Richard said that money was shared by 632 women.
Richard said that State Farm has agreed to pay $50,0000 and Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company has agreed to pay $100,000.
The terms still have to be approved at a fairness hearing on Oct. 27, Richard said.
Richard said that Judge Kent Savoie ruled recently that the insurance companies are not liable for intentional acts committed by LaFuria, but the insurance companies settled to keep future litigation from going forward.
Attorneys for the insurance companies declined to comment.
Because the money is a relatively small amount to be divvied up among the victims, the bulk of the money will be donated to Oasis, the Calcasieu Parish women’s shelter, and the rest to the local sexual assault response team, Richard said.
Richard called donating the money to two women’s groups a “wonderful irony.”
He said the women have the right to opt out of the settlement.
In August 2007, LaFuria was indicted on 269 felony counts, including five counts of molestation of a juvenile. Some of the women also allege LaFuria touched them inappropriately.
LaFuria, who is free on $1.29 million bond, was set to go to trial in June of 2008, but the trial has been repeatedly held up.
Posted By: Kristina On: 8/21/2012
Title: Thanks alot.
I was a JUVENILE when I had MY experience with Dr LaFuria, the settlement was a joke. He didn't JUST take pictures of me, but that doesn't matter, does it? Apparently, it was much more devistating to the lawyers involved than it is to me, and the others who were victimized. Not that any amount of money is enough to fix all the problems I, and my family, have endured all because of one sick "professional" who I TRUSTED, but the $1,100.00 that was given to me for all this, certainly wouldn't even cover the professional help I desperately need. He ruined my life. Well I guess maybe I should head over to the shelter once they get a cut and maybe THEY can help me now.
Posted By: Steve On: 8/3/2012
Title: Payment
So it would seem that the attorneys arranged a settlement so that they would get paid and any plaintiff that participated in the class suit gets about 5 bucks..............this is first and foremost what is wrong with America........attorneys.
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