Massage Sexual Assault Lawsuits: Holding Spa Franchises Accountable

Massage therapy

is meant to offer healing, comfort, and stress relief — not fear or trauma. But in recent years, a disturbing number of sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists have been filed across the United States. Women and men alike have come forward to report abuse during massage sessions at both independent practices and national spa franchises, including Massage Envy, MassageLuXe, Elements Massage, and Woodhouse Spa. These cases often reveal shocking failures in hiring practices, background checks, and internal oversight, placing vulnerable clients at risk.

If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted during a massage, you are not alone… and you have legal options. A massage sexual assault lawsuit can hold both the abuser and the spa or franchise accountable for failing to protect clients. Many survivors are now seeking settlement compensation or a jury payout for the emotional, physical, and psychological damage they suffered, along with changes in industry policies to prevent future incidents.

At the heart of these claims is the violation of a deeply personal boundary. Victims often report feeling trapped, disrobed, and powerless — assaulted under the guise of therapeutic treatment. And when spas fail to take swift action or try to silence or dismiss complaints, the trauma deepens. Through civil litigation, survivors are demanding accountability, safer client protocols, and public acknowledgment of the harm they endured.

Whether the abuse occurred at a luxury spa, a wellness retreat, or a budget massage chain, a massage therapist sexual misconduct lawsuit can expose negligent practices and help prevent similar assaults. If you’re considering filing a claim, it’s critical to speak with a lawyer experienced in handling massage spa sexual abuse cases.

Our firm is currently accepting massage sexual assault and abuse lawsuits.  Call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

Below, we examine

six well-known spa franchises where sexual assault claims have emerged. These lawsuits reveal troubling patterns of negligence, poor screening, and systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur—and sometimes recur.

Massage Envy Sexual Assault Lawsuits

There have been hundreds of Massage Envy sexual assault lawsuits across its franchise network. Lawsuits allege that the company ignored reports of misconduct, failed to properly vet therapists, and prioritized business continuity over client safety. Some

survivors claim the company continued employing therapists even after multiple complaints.

Hand & Stone Sexual Assault Claims

Hand & Stone is a prominent franchise in the wellness and spa industry, boasting over 500 locations across the United States. It markets itself as a high-end luxury escape for massage and skincare. This is probably a fair characterization. But there is a darker side. The chain has become the focus of troubling legal scrutiny due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by massage therapists. Lawsuits filed in various jurisdictions allege that Hand & Stone and its franchisees have failed to take adequate precautions to protect customers from sexual abuse, creating a widespread public safety concern.

A Pattern of Negligence

Legal complaints against Hand & Stone frequently allege:

• Failure to conduct adequate background checks on massage therapists.

• Negligent hiring and retention of individuals with red flags or prior misconduct.

• Failure to report known or suspected sexual abuse to authorities or licensing boards.

• Inadequate policies and training related to preventing sexual misconduct and responding to client complaints.

• Silencing victims or discouraging them from reporting abuse to protect the company’s brand and financial interests.

These lawsuits are not limited to isolated incidents. In fact, they suggest a repeated pattern across multiple franchise locations, indicating a potential breakdown in corporate oversight and safety protocols.

Franchise Liability and Corporate Oversight

While Hand & Stone’s locations are often independently owned and operated, many lawsuits argue that the franchisor and parent entities—including Hand & Stone Franchise Corporation and Hand & Stone Franchise LLP—share responsibility for the actions of their franchisees. Under theories of vicarious liability and negligent undertaking, plaintiffs claim that the corporate office has:

• Created an illusion of safety and uniform standards that were not enforced.

• Failed to monitor compliance with professional conduct standards.

• Allowed unsafe environments to persist even after being notified of assault allegations.

These

legal theories are increasingly recognized in civil courts, particularly when corporate policies contribute to foreseeable harm.

Elements Massage: Therapist Abuse Allegations

Over the past several years, Elements Massage has faced a growing number of lawsuits and criminal allegations stemming from claims of sexual assault committed by massage therapists at its franchised locations across the United States. While each incident is distinct, the pattern of alleged abuse and corporate inaction has raised serious questions about hiring protocols, therapist supervision, and client safety measures within the Elements Massage brand.

In the most recent publicly reported case from March 2025, a lawsuit was filed in Walnut Creek, California, alleging that a therapist sexually assaulted a female client during a massage session in 2024. The plaintiff accuses Elements Massage of negligent hiring and supervision, pointing to a broader failure to protect clients from foreseeable harm. This lawsuit follows a series of similar incidents, including a 2023 criminal case in College Station, Texas, where therapist Roberto Ramirez-Bautista was arrested for allegedly digitally penetrating a client during a massage. He had previously been placed on leave following another complaint but was not terminated until after the assault was reported.

Other troubling cases include a July 2022 lawsuit in Frisco, Texas, where a client accused therapist Dominique Gutierrez of sexual assault. Gutierrez was convicted of attempted sexual assault and sentenced to probation. In Mesa, Arizona, therapist Adrian Hernandez, who had a prior complaint from 2018, pleaded guilty in 2021 to attempted sexual abuse after a client accused him of inappropriate touching during a session. Similarly, in 2020, therapist Ian Alexander Baker was arrested in Parker, Colorado, after being accused of sexually assaulting a client during a massage session, prompting police to seek additional potential victims.

Earlier allegations include a 2018 arrest in Bradenton, Florida, where therapist Kenneth Geren Bannister was charged with sexual misconduct during a session at an Elements Massage location. Though Bannister claimed the encounter was consensual, the client reported it as non-consensual, leading to a criminal investigation and widespread concern over the safety of clients in private massage environments.

Taken together, these incidents really highlight what plaintiffs’ lawyers argue is a systemic failure within the Elements Massage franchise model to adequately screen employees, respond meaningfully to complaints, and enforce robust client protection protocols. Allegations across cases commonly include negligent hiring, inadequate background checks, and the failure to act on prior warnings or disciplinary concerns. Victims feel

blindsided by the lack of safeguards and traumatized by assaults that occurred in what should have been a therapeutic and professional setting.

MassageLuXe Sexual Assault Cases

MassageLuXe, a national massage therapy franchise with locations across the United States, has come under legal scrutiny for multiple sexual assault allegations involving its employees. Although not as large as some competitors in the spa industry, the chain has been named in civil lawsuits and criminal investigations that reveal troubling lapses in hiring, oversight, and client safety protocols.

In September 2024, serious new allegations surfaced in Kirkwood, Missouri, where licensed massage therapist Jon Lindbergh was charged with sexually abusing a female client during a postpartum massage session. Prosecutors accused Lindbergh of sodomy and multiple counts of second-degree sexual abuse. The woman, who had given birth just days earlier, alleged that Lindbergh assaulted her while she was in a vulnerable physical and emotional state. He later pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing. The charges sparked renewed concern over the franchise’s policies and its handling of therapist conduct.

These concerns echoed earlier events in Virginia, where Shawn Robinson, a therapist at the MassageLuXe location in Williamsburg, was convicted in 2021 of sexually assaulting five women during massage appointments. Robinson had a prior conviction for sexual battery from an incident at a Massage Envy location, but was nonetheless hired by MassageLuXe shortly after. According to court records, MassageLuXe continued to employ him for several months even after his license was suspended by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Robinson was eventually sentenced to 37 years in prison. In 2022, four of his victims filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against MassageLuXe International and the Williamsburg franchise, alleging gross negligence in both hiring and retaining Robinson despite being aware of the known risks.

In a third case from Florida, Robert Maniaci, a therapist at the Bonita Springs MassageLuXe, was accused in 2021 of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old client. The woman claimed that Maniaci engaged in inappropriate touching and unprofessional conduct during her session. Following a formal complaint, the Florida Department of Health took disciplinary action, and Maniaci eventually surrendered his massage license, agreeing never to reapply in the state.

These verified incidents illustrate systemic concerns across multiple MassageLuXe locations. Plaintiffs in these cases consistently allege that the company failed to implement proper background checks, ignored prior misconduct, and lacked appropriate client safeguards, such as procedures for requesting a therapist of a specific gender or ensuring adherence to modesty protocols. The allegations raise serious questions about how

effectively MassageLuXe monitors therapist behavior and whether its decentralized franchise model allows for accountability gaps that put clients at risk.

Spavia Day Spa Lawsuit Reports

Spavia Day Spa is a national wellness franchise founded in 2005 and headquartered in Colorado. The company positions itself as a luxury day spa experience at accessible prices, offering a curated menu of massage, skincare, and beauty treatments in locations designed to emulate the ambiance of high-end resorts. The brand emphasizes personalization, tranquility, and therapeutic wellness, offering each guest customized services in a safe and serene environment.

Spavia operates under a franchise model, allowing individual entrepreneurs to open locations under the company’s name and branding while receiving operational support from the corporate office. As of 2025, the company boasts over 60 locations across more than 20 states, with plans for aggressive national expansion. The franchise pitch highlights a “turnkey” business opportunity with a strong focus on wellness trends, repeat clientele, and a scalable business model.

But while the brand carefully crafts an image of professionalism and indulgence, a growing number of lawsuits and allegations have raised serious questions about the company’s internal safeguards and corporate oversight, particularly when it comes to preventing sexual misconduct. Multiple allegations have surfaced involving massage therapists at Spavia locations who allegedly engaged in inappropriate touching, sexual assault, or harassment during client sessions. These incidents have prompted civil lawsuits from survivors who claim that the company—and the individual franchise owners—failed to take reasonable precautions to screen, supervise, and respond to the dangerous behavior of their employees.

One notable case occurred in Fort Collins, Colorado, where a former Spavia massage therapist was arrested and charged with four counts of unlawful sexual contact following reports from several clients who alleged inappropriate touching during massages. Struckmeyer had been employed at Spavia for only a

short period, from September to October 2018, yet his conduct led to multiple charges. This case highlights the very concerns central to ongoing litigation: inadequate screening, lack of oversight, and a failure to take complaints seriously.

Woodhouse Spa Sexual Abuse Litigation

Woodhouse Spa, a luxury wellness franchise with over 70 locations across the United States, is renowned for its upscale services, including massages, facials, and body treatments. The spa’s tranquil environments and high-end offerings have made it a popular destination for clients seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.​

However, in recent years, Woodhouse Spa has faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving its massage therapists. Several lawsuits have been filed against various Woodhouse Spa locations, accusing the company of negligent hiring practices, inadequate oversight, and failure to respond appropriately to complaints of sexual assault.​

In one notable case, a woman alleged that a therapist sexually assaulted her during a massage session at a Woodhouse Spa location. The lawsuit alleged that the spa failed to conduct thorough background checks and did not take prompt action after the incident was reported. The plaintiff stated that the spa’s dismissive response exacerbated her trauma, leaving her feeling re-victimized and unheard.​

These incidents have raised concerns about the safety protocols and accountability measures in place at Woodhouse Spa. Clients entrust spas with their well-being, expecting a safe and professional environment. The allegations suggest a breach of this trust, highlighting the need for stricter hiring practices, comprehensive staff training, and robust mechanisms for addressing client complaints.​

As the lawsuits proceed, they underscore the importance of vigilance and accountability in the wellness industry. Ensuring client safety should be paramount, and

establishments like Woodhouse Spa must take proactive steps to prevent misconduct and respond effectively when allegations arise.

Insurance Coverage and Financial Accountability in Sexual Assault Lawsuits

When survivors bring sexual assault claims against massage franchises like Hand & Stone, the question of insurance coverage plays a crucial role in whether victims can recover damages. Most franchisees carry Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM) coverage, which is specifically designed to address claims involving physical and sexual misconduct by employees. These policies generally cover both legal defense costs and any settlements or verdicts that arise from the lawsuit. However, coverage is often subject to limits—typically around $1 million per incident and $3 million in aggregate—and can be complicated by policy exclusions.

In addition to SAM insurance, many franchises also rely on Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies. These offer broader protection but may contain exclusions for intentional acts such as sexual assault. Still, plaintiffs may find a path to compensation by framing their claims around negligent hiring, supervision, or failure to protect, which are sometimes covered under CGL policies, depending on the jurisdiction and the policy’s language.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) may also be relevant in cases involving sexual harassment or hostile work environments, although EPLI often excludes coverage for physical injury. Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance, which protects decision-makers from liability for mismanagement, typically does not apply in cases involving bodily harm; however, it may come into play when broader corporate negligence is at issue.

Importantly, franchise sexual misconduct cases often involve multiple overlapping insurance policies, and the financial exposure can be significant, especially when there is evidence the franchise knew of past misconduct and failed to act. For survivors seeking justice, understanding how

these policies function helps ensure the entities that enabled abuse are held financially accountable, not just the individual perpetrator.

What Massage Sexual Assault Lawsuits Mean for Survivors

These lawsuits are not just about individual therapists. They are about the systems and policies that allowed the sexual assault to happen.  The franchise model does not excuse negligence. Too often,  spa chains fail to protect their customers. They can and should be held accountable.

Survivors May Be Entitled to:

• Financial compensation for emotional distress and trauma

• Coverage for therapy or psychological treatment

• Punitive damages to hold companies accountable

• Justice through civil litigation, even

  when criminal charges are not filed

What Are Massage Sexual Assault Lawsuits Worth?

How much compensation can you expect in one of these lawsuits?  There is no fixed number. We see sexual assault cases settle for tens of thousands, and we see others go well into the six and seven figures. It depends on a few significant factors: how serious the abuse was, whether the spa or franchise had any prior warning, how the business responded (or failed to respond), and how the trauma affected your life.

What we can tell you based on the cases we have worked on and what has played out around the country:

• If the therapist had a history of complaints that the spa ignored, that can increase the value of your claim.

• If the spa didn’t run proper background checks or didn’t act when they should have, that’s the kind of corporate negligence juries and insurers take seriously.

• We’ve seen survivors of massage assault at national chains like Massage Envy, MassageLuXe, and Hand & Stone receive confidential settlements in the high six figures…and sometimes more.

• In some lawsuits, victims are also awarded punitive damages. That’s money meant to punish the company for its reckless behavior, not just compensate you for what you have been through.

Keep in mind: not every case goes to trial. In fact, very few do.  Most settle quietly out of court. This is often because the franchise knows it does

not want this to become a public courtroom story.  So the chance of you testifying to a jury about what you went through is ultimately very low.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Massage Sexual Assault

If you or someone you love was sexually assaulted during a massage—whether at a national chain or local spa—you are not alone. Many survivors are coming forward to demand accountability. While each case is unique, there are common signs of systemic failure that may support a civil claim.

Time limits, also known as statutes of limitations, vary by state, and some laws have been amended to provide survivors with more time to file. You want to speak with a massage sexual assault attorney who understands how to handle this litigation and has experience with institutional negligence.

If you are thinking about bringing a sexual assault lawsuit,  contact our lawyers today for a free consultation. Contact us online or call us at 800-553-8082.