WATERLOO - Two local women have filed lawsuits against an anesthesiologist who is under investigation by the state medical board for inappropriate touching.

In October, the Iowa State Board of Medicine announced disciplinary charges against 39-year-old Dr. Ashar Afzal.

On Nov. 5, a Waterloo woman filed an assault and medical malpractice suit against the physician and his employer, Cedar Valley Medical Specialists.

A similar suit was filed by an Aplington woman Oct. 1.

Waterloo attorney Tim Boller, who represents Afzal and Cedar Valley Medical, said the defendants are fighting the allegations.

"We are vigorously defending both actions and conducting discovery where we send out written questions to the other side asking them for information regarding the claim," Boller said.

In court records filed by attorneys Timothy White and Paul Waterman, the women allege the doctor fondled them during treatments for pain while nurses weren't around.

The Aplington woman had pelvis and other injuries from a traffic accident and went to see the doctor in February 2007. She alleged Afzal pressed on her groin area during an examination.

During the same visit, the doctor allegedly confessed to the woman that what he did was wrong and asked her not to tell anyone, court records state.

The Waterloo woman was being treated for pain in her right hand and arm with a procedure that involved a powerful pain medication that left her disoriented and unconscious.

According to her lawsuit, she awoke to find the doctor on top of her fondling her and placing her hand on his groin.

Despite the assault, the woman continued to be treated by Afzal because she believed the treatments were effective.

But during a February 2007 visit, she ran from the clinic after the doctor climbed onto the exam table and fondled her, court records allege.

The claims allege Cedar Valley Medical should have known the doctor used his status to abuse patients and failed to monitor his treatment of female patients.

The lawsuits also are seeking loss-of-consortium damages for spouses and children.

Afzal continues to practice at Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, Boller said.

A Board of Medicine hearing is scheduled for December in Des Moines.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.