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Surgical errors cause months of pain for victim

On Behalf of | Jan 23, 2014 | Medical Malpractice

No one is perfect, but Arizona patients don’t like to consider that medical staff can make mistakes. Though there are many procedures in place to reduce the risk of surgical errors, including years of training and education, mistakes do occur. In a case involving a woman in another state, one medical expert is saying that “rookie” errors led to months of severe pain and suffering for the patient.

The woman originally sought medical attention due to intermittent stabbing pain in her back. The woman’s treatment included two surgeries. A medical expert put on the stand for the plaintiff stated that the second surgery was not necessary.

The medical expert also stated that the surgeon, who is a defendant in the lawsuit, made a rookie mistake when he placed panels and screws in the patient’s spine. Evidence seems to indicate that these screws increased the back pain, which became constant following the procedure. The medical expert pointed to the fact that the pain improved after the woman had the screws removed as further proof of the allegation.

During four hours of expert testimony, the second surgeon stated that the defendant doctor used technology that the North American Spine Society had issued warnings against. He stated that the surgeon chose a procedure that was unnecessarily painful and complicated. He claimed the doctor misunderstood or ignored x-rays in making surgical decisions.

According to court documents, there are 175 different suits filed against the doctor in this case. This is the first to go to trial. The defendant will not testify in court for any of the cases. He provided a deposition in November for the current trial before fleeing to Pakistan, which is his native country. According to reports, he did so following a federal indictment on 36 counts.

Those who have been injured due to medical negligence or malpractice have a right to seek compensation through civil court. Claims may include those for medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability and other damages.

Source:  WCPO Cincinnati, “Dr. Atiq Durrani: Fellow spine doctor Keith Wilkey testifies for patient in lawsuit against Durrani” Greg Noble, Jan. 09, 2014

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