On September 14, 2023, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight filed two separate Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”) administrative complaints against the U.S. Department of the Army and the U.S. Department of Defense (collectively, “the Army”) on behalf of John Doe 1 and John Doe 2. Since then, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight has filed 43 additional complaints on behalf of John Does 3 through 45, including the first FTCA complaint filed by a non-patient of Dr. Stockin.

Other than the non-patient, all of the firm’s clients to date were treated by Dr. Stockin for chronic pain at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma, Washington. The clients allege a similar pattern of abuse, particularly that Dr. Stockin forced them to disrobe unnecessarily during appointments, and then, with his bare hands and no chaperone present or offered, fondled or inappropriately viewed the patients’ genitals. The abuse of these patients occurred between 2019 and 2022. Dr. Stockin has since pled guilty to 41 counts of sexual abuse under the guise of an examination.

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight seeks to hold the Army responsible for failing to protect John Does 1 through 45 from sexual abuse. The administrative complaints allege that the Army was negligent in its hiring, supervision, and retention of Dr. Stockin.

Recent Congressional investigative hearings have revealed an even broader scope of potential abuse by Dr. Stockin, who may have begun abusing patients earlier in his career while stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Under the Federal Torts Claims Act, the first step for individuals with claims against an agency of the federal government, such as the Army, is to file an administrative complaint against the agency at fault.

We know how difficult it is to come forward to disclose sexual abuse. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s Sexual Violence, Title IX and Victims’ Rights Practice Group, led by Co-Chairs Christine Dunn and Carolin Guentert, has extensive experience helping survivors. We are trained in trauma-informed advocacy and represent clients in a compassionate and victim-centered manner. With law offices throughout the United States, we regularly take on some of the nation’s most powerful institutions, including colleges and universities, public school districts, hospitals, and government entities.

If you or someone you know was harmed by Dr. Michael Stockin, please contact Christine Dunn at (202) 499-5214, or at cdunn@sanfordheisler.com. You can also contact the team by completing our online form here.