Jury Orders Doctor to Pay $6.9 Million

A Talbot County jury awarded two women nearly $6.9 million in a civil suit against a former traveling cardiologist accused of sexual assault.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Sex Crimes

A Talbot County Circuit Court jury ordered Aman K. Patel to pay $6,867,000 in damages to two women who accused him of sexual assault while he worked at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton. Patel, who represented himself, had earlier pleaded guilty in December 2025 to three counts of second-degree assault.

Why it matters

The verdict holds the accused physician financially responsible after criminal charges were resolved through a plea deal that dropped more than 70 counts. It adds to the accountability process for patients who allege abuse in Maryland hospital settings.

A Talbot County jury on October 30 awarded $6,867,000 to two plaintiffs, including $1,917,000 in compensatory and $4,950,000 in punitive damages. Patel's payment ability and any licensing action by the Maryland Board of Physicians have not been reported.

The players

Aman K. Patel

Patel is a former traveling cardiologist from Keller, Texas, who represented himself in the civil proceedings.

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center

The Easton hospital is part of the University of Maryland Medical System and was where the alleged assaults occurred.

The details

Patel, a traveling cardiologist from Keller, Texas, was arrested in March 2025 after multiple women reported sexual assault at the Easton hospital. In a Board of Physicians hearing, he allegedly admitted to sexual contact with other women at the hospital, and the civil suit followed the criminal case in Talbot County.

- March 2025: Patel is arrested after women report sexual assault.
- December 2025: Patel pleads guilty to three counts of second-degree assault and receives time served and supervised probation.
- October 30, 2026: A Talbot County jury awards $6,867,000 in civil damages.

Legal Context

The verdict uses Maryland's civil damages framework to pursue compensation after a criminal plea deal dropped more than 70 charges. Civil juries in such cases can award punitive damages separately from compensatory awards, as this jury did.

Patients of Maryland hospitals may see heightened attention to chaperone policies and credentialing reviews following the verdict. Residents of Talbot County and Easton are directly affected by the case's outcome at the local medical center.

The takeaway

Patients who experience misconduct in a clinical setting can pursue civil claims even after criminal charges are resolved by plea. Reviewing a provider's licensing status with the Maryland Board of Physicians is a practical step before receiving care.