Settlements and Verdicts

Doctor Gets Probation

Providence, RI: (Apr-07-08) The US Attorney General's office brought a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Ralph A. Digiacomo, a Warwick rheumatologist, alleging that he failed to adequately account for his inventory of the narcotic pain reliever hydrocodone, known as Vicodin. Digiacomo admitted that he ordered 1,200 Vicodin pills every two to three weeks, stating that it was for his own use, negligently violating federal law that requires a physician to maintain complete and accurate records of the receipt and disposition of controlled substances.

As part of the settlement agreement, Digiacomo agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve the allegations. The state Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline allowed Digiacomo to resume his medical practice recently, nearly a year after he turned in his license during the investigation of his prescribing practices. As per further terms of agreement, he is being monitored for five years by the Physicians Health Committee of the Rhode Island Medical Society and will not allowed to order or prescribe narcotics for another year. [THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL: DOCTOR PAYS FINE IN NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION]

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