The Kerry Assil MD lawsuit is a December 2017 civil action, Paula J. Rickey v. Kerry Kourosh Assil et al. (No. BC686626), filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by a charge nurse at the Cedars-Sinai-affiliated 90210 Surgery Center in Beverly Hills. Rickey alleged battery, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation stemming from a July 17, 2017 physical confrontation inside an operating room. The available court records show the case was still pending as of mid-2018, with no publicly reported verdict, settlement, or dismissal.1PlainSite. Paula J. Rickey v. Kerry Kourosh Assil et al.
What Rickey Says Happened in the Operating Room
According to the complaint, Rickey had asked Assil whether he had finished his case so the cleaning crew could turn the room over for the next surgeon. As she was leaving, Assil allegedly approached her from behind, shoved her hard at the base of her head, and grabbed her arm. The suit quotes him telling her during the confrontation, “I know I can do this because I know you like the abuse.”2Modern Healthcare. Cedars-Sinai Faces Sexual Harassment Suit Over Surgeon’s Conduct Toward Nurse
The operating room’s surveillance camera captured the encounter. Rickey said she found the footage about a month later and provided it to the Cedars-Sinai board of directors. NBC Los Angeles reported the video showed Assil pushing Rickey out of the operating room.3NBC Los Angeles. Former Cedars-Sinai Nurse Sues Surgeon for Alleged Attack
The Claims Filed
Docketed as an employment matter, the complaint alleged battery, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Beyond the physical assault, it alleged that “Assil exhibited an interest in sexual exploitation of Rickey, and that Assil’s sexual desires toward Rickey were a substantial factor motivating Assil’s batteries on Rickey.”4Medical World Nigeria. Beverly Hills Nurse Files Assault Lawsuit Against Prominent Doctor
Rickey also alleged retaliation after she reported the incident. She said the hospital moved her to a different floor and cut her work hours while Assil kept practicing. In her words: “I was retaliated against. They made me work on a separate floor. They accommodated him. They reduced my work hours.”3NBC Los Angeles. Former Cedars-Sinai Nurse Sues Surgeon for Alleged Attack
The complaint named Assil individually along with a layered group of corporate defendants tied to the 90210 Surgery Center, including Precision Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, ASC Management Group Inc. and LLC, BH ASC Venture LLC, CS-BH ASC Holdings LLC, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Cedars-Sinai Health System.1PlainSite. Paula J. Rickey v. Kerry Kourosh Assil et al.
Cedars-Sinai’s Response and the Discipline Dispute
Cedars-Sinai confirmed that Assil “was disciplined” after the incident. The medical center said in a statement: “The safety and wellness of patients and employees, including those at our affiliates, is paramount to Cedars-Sinai and aligned with our values. We take complaints seriously, investigate them thoroughly and act promptly.”3NBC Los Angeles. Former Cedars-Sinai Nurse Sues Surgeon for Alleged Attack
Rickey’s attorney called the disciplinary action a “slap on the wrist” and argued Assil was a “big revenue generator for the company” who was not held to the same standards as other staff. As of late December 2017, Assil remained the medical director of the 90210 Surgery Center. Rickey said she was seeking an apology alongside financial recovery and wanted to ensure “no other nurse will be treated unfairly.”3NBC Los Angeles. Former Cedars-Sinai Nurse Sues Surgeon for Alleged Attack
Where the Case Stands
The complaint was filed on December 13, 2017. The defendants, represented by Anthony J. Oncidi of Proskauer Rose LLP, filed answers between January and April 2018. Rickey’s attorney, David W. Affeld, filed a motion seeking permission to conduct financial discovery into Assil, which the defendants opposed. Multiple case management conferences followed, and Rickey posted jury fees of $150 in April 2018.1PlainSite. Paula J. Rickey v. Kerry Kourosh Assil et al.
The last recorded docket entry in the available records is a Notice of Ruling filed on June 12, 2018. As of the most recent database update in July 2018, the case status was listed as “Pending.” The research contains no reporting or court records indicating a trial verdict, settlement, or dismissal.1PlainSite. Paula J. Rickey v. Kerry Kourosh Assil et al.
Who Dr. Kerry Assil Is
Kerry Assil is a Beverly Hills ophthalmologist and board-certified LASIK and cataract surgeon who co-founded what is now the Assil Gaur Eye Institute in 1995 with Dr. Robert Sinskey. He earned his medical degree from UC San Diego in 1986 and completed a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Saint Louis University.5Assil Eye Institute. Dr. Kerry Assil At the time of the lawsuit he served as medical director of the 90210 Surgery Center, a facility within the Cedars-Sinai Health System.2Modern Healthcare. Cedars-Sinai Faces Sexual Harassment Suit Over Surgeon’s Conduct Toward Nurse Rickey had worked as a charge nurse at that surgery center for roughly five years before filing suit.