March 25, 2026 - by Herman Law
A Massachusetts rheumatologist already facing criminal charges for the alleged rape of two patients has now been indicted on charges that he sexually assaulted 11 more. The case involving Dr. Derrick Todd has drawn widespread attention — defined not only by the scope of harm alleged, but by how long the medical system failed to intervene.
On March 19, 2026, a Middlesex County grand jury indicted Todd on three additional counts of rape and 17 counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over. The new charges allege that Todd conducted unnecessary and excessively prolonged pelvic and breast examinations on patients at Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham between May 2021 and May 2023. He is also alleged to have performed pelvic floor therapy — a treatment he was not qualified to provide. Prosecutors further allege he made inappropriate sexual comments during examinations.
The 11 patients named in the new indictments are all women, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years old. Todd is scheduled to be arraigned on March 25, 2026 in Middlesex Superior Court.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan described the allegations as reflecting an extraordinary exploitation of patients’ vulnerability and an abuse of a position of trust. She also confirmed that additional allegations against Todd are under investigation in another county, and that these new indictments represent the final charges Middlesex County intends to bring — unless additional survivors come forward.
Todd, 52, is a Yale and UMass graduate who practiced as a rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston, as well as at Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham. According to civil suits, the alleged abuse began as early as 2010 or 2011, with patients reporting misconduct continuing until Todd was removed from patient care in late July 2023.
More than 250 former patients have now filed civil lawsuits against Todd, accusing him of performing unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations — procedures patients say were conducted without proper consent and outside the scope of his qualifications. Todd has pleaded not guilty to the original criminal charges and has asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in the civil suits.
A 2025 Boston Globe Spotlight investigation found that Todd’s alleged abuse could have been stopped much sooner. For more than a decade, complaints from patients were not meaningfully addressed by his colleagues or institutions. Even after two doctors raised concerns with Brigham officials in April 2023, the hospital allowed Todd to continue seeing patients for two more months.
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine also failed to act swiftly. It was not until September 5, 2023, that the board persuaded Todd to sign a voluntary agreement to stop practicing medicine while its investigation remained ongoing. That investigation has yet to produce public findings.
This case reflects a pattern that Herman Law sees in institutional abuse cases: when survivors report concerns to the very institutions that should protect them, they are too often met with silence or inaction. Time and again, institutional inertia shielded the accused while those who came forward were left without protection or recourse.
Survivors of physician sexual abuse may have the right to pursue civil claims — not only against the individual responsible, but against the institutions that failed to protect them. Civil litigation may provide financial resources for recovery, hold powerful institutions accountable, and create systemic change that protects future patients.
At Herman Law, we exclusively represent survivors of institutional sexual abuse in civil lawsuits. We understand how difficult it is to come forward, especially when the abuse was committed by a trusted medical professional. If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse in a hospital, medical facility, or another institution, you may have legal options.
Contact Herman Law for a free, confidential consultation with a member of our team. When you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of sexual abuse or assault referenced in this article.
Fortier, M., Kwangwari, M., Margain, O., & Tran, J. (2026, March 19). Former Brigham and Women’s doc charged with sexually assaulting more patients. NBC Boston. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/derrick-todd-brigham-and-womens-doctor-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-11-more-patients/3918713/
Kowalczyk, L., & Koh, E. (2026, March 19). Dr. Derrick Todd, disgraced rheumatologist, charged with sexually assaulting 11 additional patients. The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/19/metro/derrick-todd-charged-rape/
Haynes, V. (2026, March 20). Dr. Derrick Todd indicted on new rape, assault charges involving 11 more victims. WCVB Channel 5 Boston. https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-doctor-derrick-todd-new-charges-framingham/70794592
Kowalczyk, L., & Koh, E. (2025, October 2). Nearly 250 patients at top Mass. hospitals say they were abused by a renowned doctor. Why wasn’t he stopped sooner? The Boston Globe. https://apps.bostonglobe.com/metro/investigations/spotlight/2025/10/standards-of-care/massachusetts-medical-establishment-troubled-doctor/
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by an attorney at Herman Law, with legal experience in helping victims of sexual abuse.
Speaking up is never easy—but you’re not alone. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our compassionate team at Herman Law is here to listen, support, and guide you forward. Reach out today in complete confidence.
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