HACKENSACK, NJ, August 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- 27 former patients of New Jersey physician Ritesh Kalra filed a civil lawsuit (Cause No: BER-L-007809-26) on Monday, August 17, 2026, alleging a years-long pattern of sexual abuse, exploitation, and other misconduct during medical appointments.
The lawsuit alleges that Kalra used his control over patients’ prescription medications as leverage, including by lowering medication doses after some patients allegedly resisted sexual advances.
The complaint, filed by Andreozzi and Foote in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County, names Ritesh Kalra, the doctor himself, Ritesh Kalra, MD, LLC, a limited liability company, and ten unidentified responsible individuals as defendants. The 27 plaintiffs include 24 women and three men.
According to the lawsuit, Kalra worked as an internist and provided primary care and pain-management services. He operated many offices throughout Bergen and Hudson County, including but not limited to Fairlawn, Jersey City, and Secaucus.
“The complaint alleges that Kalra sexually exploited patients who depended on him for medical care and, in some instances, used control over their prescription medication as a means of coercion or retaliation,” said Nathaniel Foote, Partner at Andreozzi + Foote. “Our clients are seeking accountability through the civil justice system, and we intend to pursue these claims on their behalf.
Kalra is awaiting trial on a separate 58-count federal indictment that includes 36 counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and 21 counts of health care fraud. According to federal court records, between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued approximately 31,289 oxycodone prescriptions to more than 1,500 patients. The civil complaint states that the federal investigation also found that Kalra demanded sexual favors from patients to obtain prescriptions.
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners also suspended Kalra’s medical license and CDS (Controlled Dangerous Substances) registration in August 2025, citing allegations of indiscriminate prescribing and prescribing CDS without a legitimate medical purpose.
The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages and have demanded a jury trial.
About Andreozzi + Foote
Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families. For more information, visit www.victimscivilattorneys.com.
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SOURCE: Andreozzi + Foote
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