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Woman alleges therapist abuse By Chris Bristol A Phoenix woman has sued Rogue Valley Medical Center and a physical therapist for nearly $250,000 in damages, claiming she was the victim of an intrusive and unnecessary medical procedure that bordered on sexual abuse. Candice A. Botiller filed suit Oct. 13 in Jackson County court, naming the hospital�s parent company, Asante Health Systems, and physical therapist Moshe Ross as co-defendants. A jury last year acquitted Ross, 53, of criminal charges in the case, which stemmed from a rare but recognized tailbone mobilization technique that required manipulation of the anus for treatment of Botiller�s back pain. Botiller, 37, said Ross inserted his finger in her vagina as well as anus; Ross denied it. The jury deliberated less than an hour before acquitting him of two counts each of second- and third-degree sexual abuse. In her lawsuit, Botiller repeats the allegations from the criminal case and alleges the procedure in general was unnecessary and performed without her consent. "These offensive and harmful contacts did not relate to medical treatment for her diagnosed condition," the lawsuit says. She seeks damages of up to $225,000 for pain and suffering (including sleep disturbance) and another $20,000 for counseling. She also wants an $800 refund from the hospital. Filed on Botiller�s behalf by a Eugene law firm, the lawsuit lists several legal theories: battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence (against RVMC for allegedly failing to train and supervise Ross) and breach of contract. A spokesman for Asante said it would be unwise to comment on the merits of the case, noting the lawsuit is in the early stages of litigation. In the aftermath of the criminal case, Ross�s conduct was reviewed by the state�s Physical Therapist Licensing Board. An update on the outcome of the review was not available. During the trial, several other physical therapists at RVMC testified they had used the technique before. They testified such a procedure often is performed behind closed doors � as was done in the Botiller case � to protect patient privacy. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.