Dr. Gary Kao, the Philadelphia Veterans Administration physician accused of botching the prostate cancer treatments he performed on dozens of patients has admitted wrongdoing.

Dr. Kao treated hundreds of men for prostate cancer, using brachytherapy, a procedure in which tiny radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate to treat the disease. A recent investigation of the VA hospital found that 92 out of 116 patients treated there received incorrect doses of the seeds because they were implanted into nearby organs rather than the intended location.

Perhaps even more disturbing than the fact that he “sometimes missed his target”, as he put it, is the fact that Kao admitted under questioning that he failed to inform the patients when he made the errors nor notify them that they had received an incorrect dose as a result.

The brachytherapy program has been suspended at the VA hospital where Dr. Kao performed the botched treatments, and although he still maintains his medical license, he has stopped performing the surgeries and has taken a leave of absence as of last week.

It is unclear the number of medical malpractice cases that will come as a result of this doctor’s negligence, but it is certain that there will be many victims that he will have to answer to.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529544,00.html 

A Cincinnati jury found in favor of David and Karen Krause last week in their medical malpractice case against Dr. Lawrence Rothstein and the Greater Cincinnati Pain Management Centers, where the doctor is employed.

In January 2006, David Krause went to Dr. Rothstein for a cervical epidural steroid, a procedure in which the patient receives an injection to relieve pain in the neck, shoulders and arms caused by pinched nerves in the cervical spine.  Following the procedure, however, Mr. Krause experienced permanent, debilitating injuries to his right arm and hand as well as his left leg.

The lawsuit alleged that Dr. Rothstein failed to inform Krause that there were other treatments available to him, and that this particular procedure could cause potential side effects.  This lack of informed consent made it impossible for Krause to make an informed decision as to whether he wanted to proceed with the treatment.

Perhaps even worse, though, was the allegation that the Greater Cincinnati Pain Management Center altered or falsified the patient’s medical records to avoid possible legal action and liability in the case.

The jury agreed with the Krause’s on all counts, awarding them $1.372 million; $772,000 in compensatory damages, $500,000 for the falsification of records, and $100,000 to Mrs. Krause for loss of consortium.

Every patient deserves the right to fully understand any procedure or treatment that their doctor may recommend, and be given clear and concise information about it so that they are able to make an informed decision on whether or not they wish to move forward with said treatment.  Anyone who was not given proper informed consent by a medical professional and has suffered damages as a result has the right to seek compensation.  Medical attorneys know exactly how to handle these types of claims and can help victims get what they rightfully deserve.

A jury in the medical malpractice case of Sophia Savage has reached a verdict and awarded Mrs. Savage and her husband Darrell $2.5 million in damages.

In 2001, Sophia had a hysterectomy at Three Rivers Medical Center, where she was also employed as a nurse.  It was during this surgery that the Savages claim something went terribly wrong.  Their lawsuit alleged that a surgical sponge was left inside Sophia’s abdomen when she was closed up after the procedure.

The sponge remained inside Savage until 2005 when an x-ray was performed on her following her continued complaints of pain.

Sophia was forced to undergo an additional surgery to remove the sponge, at which point doctors discovered that it had lodged in her lower intestines.  To remove the sponge, surgeons had to also remove a 49 centimeter long section of Savage’s small intestine.  This has left her with the lingering affects of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation as well as depression and anxiety.

The settlement amount provides for $1.9 million for pain and suffering (past and future) and just under $66,000 for medical expenses Savage has incurred from the ordeal.  Her husband was awarded an additional $500,000 for loss of consortium.

Surgical errors like this happen all too frequently, and the negligent parties at fault must be held responsible, as in this case.  If you have suffered damages as a result of surgical malpractice, don’t hesitate to contact a medical lawyer.

A jury recently returned a verdict in the medical malpractice case involving the misdiagnosis of cancer of a Nevada woman, resulting in her death.

24 year old Elisa Sanchez sought medical treatment in 2004, complaining of pain and blood in her stool.  She was wrongly diagnosed as having hemorrhoids on multiple occassions.  What she really had was colon and rectal cancer.

Her family, who brought the lawsuit, claimed that the misdiagnosis caused a delay in treatment, and that an early diagnosis could have increased her chance of survival to 97%, rather than the grim 50% she faced when the correct diagnosis was finally reached seven months later.

Cancer survival most often hinges on early diagnosis and prompt treatment.  When the disease goes unnoticed or is misdiagnosed, the delay in treatment often diminishes the patient’s life span.  In this case, it was too late to save Sanchez, and her family is left to pick up the pieces.

The case against the doctor was successful, and the jury awarded a settlement of $2.5 million.  Of course, this is of little consolation to the Sanchez family, because it could never replace the life of a young woman cut tragically short.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of a cancer misdiagnosis, you have the right to seek justice.  Speak with a medical attorney right away.