Woman says physician made advances on her

HUNTINGTON -- A Hurricane woman is suing a Huntington physician who she claims made advances on her and made her feel uncomfortable.

Victoria Carovillano suffered an injury to her arm, which required her to see an orthopedics specialist, according to a complaint filed June 25 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Carovillano claims she began seeing Dr. Thomas F. Scott and was required to attend three follow-up visits. She claims during these visits Scott began questioning her about her occupation, to which she informed him she worked in the mental health field.

Following her last follow-up visit, Scott began to call Carovillano and insisted that he personally visit her at her work site, according to the suit, "to discuss prescription drug abuse, his opinion regarding excessive prescriptions being written in the area," along with his assertion that he needed to observe her work area so he could better understand the nature of her injury.

On June 30, 2009, Carovillano claims Scott arrived at her work site and stayed approximately one hour.

Carovillano claims during his visit, Scott remarked that he wanted to take her out to lunch and asked her personal questions relating to her husband/family and whether or not she was happy in her marriage; suggested that they "go and get lost together" and asked about doors being locked, people working at the facility and for her work hours; and tried several times to hold her hand, constantly stood very close to her and eventually tried to kiss her.

At no time during the visit did Scott ever mention anything about Carovillano's arm injury, according to the suit.

Carovillano claims Scott made her feel vulnerable, scared, uncomfortable, humiliated, disrespected, threatened and extremely emotionally upset.

Carovillano is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Henry E. Wood III.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-463