WEST LINN, Ore. — After years of allegations and formal complaints, the civil lawsuit filed against a West Linn doctor on behalf of more than 170 women and children is headed for trial.
A group of nearly 40 women and children joined the nearly $1 billion dollar lawsuit last month, according to attorney Tom D’Amore of D’Amore Law Group.
The plaintiffs accuse former doctor David Farley of past sexual abuse, negligence and emotional distress.
The number of patients in the lawsuit ballooned so high, D’Amore believes the state may require attorneys to wrap the case for an anticipated January trial date.
D’Amore said he still wants to hear from additional victims or witnesses, but it may mean filing additional lawsuits.
“The system’s not working well when you have more than 100 women and children accusing a doctor,” D’Amore said. “And even with some admissions from the doctor of what he was doing, admissions by the staff of his clinic, and still these cases are not prosecuted like they should be.”
Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth has told KGW he carefully reviewed claims by Farley's former patients and believes his office acted appropriately.
In the fall of 2022, a Clackamas County grand jury declined to indict Farley on charges.
D’Amore said his clients felt West Linn Police didn’t take them seriously and suspects the grand jury didn’t get the chance to see all the evidence.
“Our clients had the impression they were being brushed off,” said D’Amore. “They weren’t being listened to.”
D’amore is now hoping to depose three doctors who worked with Farley during his time in West Linn to find out what they knew. However, the defense filed a motion to quash that idea.
Farley’s attorney also declined to comment Tuesday, citing ongoing litigation.
In the latest complaint filed in October, plaintiffs allege Farley fondled them, assaulted them under the guise of necessary medical exams, and graphicly photographed them with his personal cellphone.
The Oregon Medical Board revoked Farley’s medical license in 2020 for dishonorable and unprofessional conduct, and gross or repeated negligence.
Farley retired and moved to Idaho.
D’amore said his clients hope Oregon’s newly-elected attorney general will decide to review the criminal case, and possibly step in to prosecute Farley.