Agencies:

A federal judge on Monday issued his final approval of a $73 million settlement for a lawsuit alleging that about 6,000 women were sexually assaulted by a former gynecologist at the University of California, according to the Associated Press.

The class action lawsuit, filed by the victims in 2019, alleged that from 1983 to 2018, Dr. James Heaps harassed women while using an ultrasound probe or made inappropriate comments during examinations at the University of California student health center or the Ronald Reagan Medical Center on campus.

The lawsuit also accused the University of California, Los Angeles of failing to take action against Heaps despite complaints and following a "policy of indifference" to reports of sexual misconduct.

More than 100 of Heaps' former patients made claims or filed individual lawsuits, but the class action lawsuit includes all potential victims. Each will receive between $2,500 and $250,000, with larger amounts depending on the extent of physical injury and emotional distress, as determined by a panel of experts.

The University of California, Los Angeles did not admit wrongdoing in reaching the settlement last year, but agreed to change its procedures to prevent, identify, investigate, and address sexual behavior.

This included requiring the presence of a trained attendant during intimate physical examinations of patients aged 8 years or older unless they opted out.

A statement issued by the center said, "We cannot comment on the details of today's legal proceedings, but we can say unequivocally that sexual misconduct or assault is never justified." It added, "We thank the individuals who came forward and hope this settlement — which is still subject to court approval — is a small step forward for the affected patients."

Heaps was arrested in 2019, and his medical license was suspended. In May, reports stated that Heaps faces 21 new charges, potentially leading to a 24-year sentence.