Women accuse chiropractor of abuse
2 ex-patients say Pleasant Hill doctor fondled them during treatment
Two former patients accused a Pleasant Hill chiropractor of sexually abusing them under the guise of medical care, alleging that he cupped and fondled their breasts during treatment sessions.
The women’s allegations, detailed in a lawsuit filed Monday in Contra Costa County Superior Court, echo one another — both were receiving treatment from Dr. David Atkinson as part of a legal injury case, and both felt they needed Atkinson’s cooperation to succeed in their cases.
The women, Shalan Hooks and Myisha Kee, told reporters on Monday they were initially confused about what qualified as legitimate medical treatment but felt uncomfortable with Atkinson’s verbal and physical conduct.
Among the allegations, Hooks said Atkinson began referring to her as “babe” or “sugar” and asked her if she had a boyfriend after overhearing a phone conversation. Both said Atkinson massaged them in a “creepy sensuous” manner, asked them to undress in ways they found inappropriate, and on at least one occasion removed their breast from their bras and fondled it.
“I felt disgusted, I felt disrespected,” Kee said. “I just know that it’s unacceptable.”
Atkinson denied the allegations in a brief interview Monday afternoon at his Pleasant Hill office.
“I’m gonna say, no, they’re not valid; and, two, just let my insurance company deal with it,” he said. “And really that’s all the comment I’ll have.”
Atkinson “categorically” denied that he instructed the women to remove their shirts and fondled their breasts.
He added that he’s been in practice for 40 years and has never faced these types of allegations.
Atkinson said he’s being represented by an attorney through his malpractice insurance company.
Kee’s treatments with Atkinson began in December 2015 or January 2016 and continued until October or November 2017. Hooks said she was treated by Atkinson for a few months in the spring and summer of 2017.
In the lawsuit, Hooks said Atkinson asked for hugs during her visits and told her to wear “very short shorts,” which she felt was unnecessary for her treatment. On at least one occasion, Hooks said, Atkinson entered the room after treatment in what she believed was an effort to catch her undressed.
Hooks also accused Atkinson of telling her when the two were in the office alone, “If you scream, nobody will hear you.” Hooks alleged that it was this visit when Atkinson fondled her breast.
In Monday’s interview with reporters, Hooks said her personal injury attorney implied that he had heard similar allegations about Atkinson in the past.
Hooks recalled telling her personal injury attorney that she no longer wanted to work with Atkinson after a few chiropractic sessions.
“He asked me why ... because he heard from his other female clients that they had been sexually assaulted,” Hooks said. “And he asked me, was that the reason I wanted to cease treatment?”
Hooks and Key are relatives and shared the same personal injury attorney, who referred them to Atkinson. They said one day they talked to each other on the phone and realized their uncomfortable visits with Atkinson followed a familiar pattern.
Both women said they decided to go public with their allegations in hopes of protecting other women from Atkinson’s conduct.
John D. Winer, an attorney for the women, said he’s aware of at least one other woman who has alleged similar conduct by Atkinson. Winer said once the case is resolved they will report the conduct to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Lee Houskeeper, a spokesman for Winer, said the women filed a report with police shortly after speaking with reporters Monday morning.
Winer said both of his clients were told by their personal injury attorney that they needed Atkinson’s help in their cases, and that the chiropractor’s report or testimony would at some point be “critical.”
This “put Dr. Atkinson in a position where he could have felt that he had more power,” Winer said.
The women are suing for damages and alleging professional negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, battery, sexual battery, breach of fiduciary duty, sexual harassment and negligent hiring and retention.