A 56-year-old Palm Beach County woman has filed a lawsuit against HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital in Tamarac, Florida, alleging she was sexually assaulted by a registered nurse while receiving outpatient surgical care.
According to media reports, the woman alleges that John Vincent Pica, 63, repeatedly touched her inappropriately before and after surgery on her wrist.
Attorneys Adam Horowitz and Jesse Seiden of Horowitz Law filed the lawsuit on October 14, 2026, in Broward County Circuit Court against University Hospital, Ltd., doing business as HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital. Horowitz Law represents the plaintiff.
Facts and Allegations Against Nurse John Vincent Pica
According to the lawsuit filed by Horowitz Law, the following allegations were made:
- October 2024: The female patient visited HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital for outpatient wrist surgery.
- Inappropriate comments: Pica allegedly made unwelcome personal and sexually suggestive remarks while preparing the patient for surgery.
- Unwanted touching: Pica allegedly lifted the patient's hospital gown, exposing her breasts without consent.
- Alleged sexual assault: The lawsuit alleges that Pica repeatedly cupped, groped, and squeezed the patient's breasts, including after an anesthesiologist administered a nerve block and left the room.
- Post-operative misconduct: During recovery, Pica allegedly caressed the patient's legs while removing compression devices and touched her breasts again while helping her get dressed.
- Incident reported: The patient contacted the hospital the following day and reported the alleged misconduct to a nursing supervisor.
The lawsuit alleges that Pica's conduct served no legitimate medical purpose and caused the patient emotional distress.
Lawsuit Alleges HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital Failed to Protect Patient
The lawsuit alleges that HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital negligently hired, retained, and supervised Pica and failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable patients.
According to media reports, Pica testified during an August 13, 2025, deposition that he had previously been terminated from Jackson Memorial Hospital after a woman alleged he exposed himself to her. He also testified that he resigned from Broward Health Imperial Point following a patient's complaint of verbal abuse in the emergency department.
During the same deposition, Pica denied the patient's allegations, maintaining that she had misinterpreted his actions while he was performing his nursing duties.
The lawsuit alleges that HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital knew or should have known about Pica's prior history of professional misconduct and failed to adequately investigate his background before placing him in a position of trust with vulnerable patients.
According to media reports, Pica surrendered his Florida nursing license on December 8, 2025, and agreed not to reapply for nursing licensure in the state. On April 20, 2026, the Florida Board of Nursing issued a final order accepting the voluntary relinquishment of his nursing license as disciplinary action.
The Broward Sheriff's Office separately investigated the allegations. According to a May 6, 2026, supplemental investigative report cited by Horowitz Law, an investigator determined that probable cause existed to believe Pica had committed battery through unwanted physical contact.
“Healthcare providers are trusted by patients, so this is a betrayal at the highest level. Patients entering for surgery deserve to feel safe.”
— Adam Horowitz, speaking to the South Florida Sun Sentinel
John Vincent Pica Allegedly Violated the Nurse-Patient Relationship
Patients undergoing surgery place significant trust in the nurses and healthcare professionals responsible for their treatment. They are often partially undressed, medicated, or physically unable to protect themselves from inappropriate conduct.
Nurses are expected to maintain professional boundaries and provide medical care without engaging in sexual contact with patients.
The allegations against Pica raise serious concerns about the vulnerability of surgical patients and hospitals' responsibility to protect individuals entrusted to their care.
Horowitz Law Is Here to Help
Horowitz Law represents survivors of sexual abuse by nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. We have filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits on behalf of patients who were subjected to inappropriate sexual conduct by healthcare providers. Patients have the right to receive medical treatment in a safe, professional environment free from sexual misconduct.
If you experienced inappropriate sexual conduct involving John Vincent Pica or believe you were sexually assaulted by another healthcare professional, please contact Horowitz Law at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.