'Caring, Compassionate Man' Faces Six Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Norfolk, VAOne would think that doctors who spend at least 7 years of their lives training for specialized work, and hospitals with the latest equipment and trained specialists would be incapable of medical malpractice. And given that medical malpractice insurance is hard to come by, one would think that medical professionals and institutions would want to avoid triggering medical malpractice law like the plague.

But no, it happens—and in ways that boggle the mind.

Take the case that will be before the courts with regard to a suit against the San Mateo Medical Center. The plaintiff in the case claims that surgeons left a broken catheter, which is about the size of a straw, in his heart for two years—even though it was allegedly plainly visible on X-rays.

According to the claim, an initial surgical procedure to remove the catheter proved unsuccessful. Open-heart surgery was then required, which subsequently resulted in the destruction of a heart valve that had to be then replaced. Given that the patient had cancer, the plaintiff's physical ability to withstand unnecessary surgeries would be in some doubt.

The plaintiff claims that the San Mateo Medical Center attempted to cover up the gaffe.

Then there is the case of Dr. Stephen Plotnick, of Virginia Beach. Here is a man who is described as compassionate and caring, and many of his patients swear by him. They laud Dr. Plotnick for having saved them from years of debilitating pain, and that his prescriptions helped them to live normal lives.

And yet it is alleged that his aggressive prescriptions also contributed to the deaths of numerous patients. And according to a report in the Virginian-Pilot this caring, compassionate doctor has been named as a defendant in six medical malpractice lawsuits. One has been settled, but five are outstanding.

The doctor, in practice since 1993, has agreed to surrender his medical license for a period of 2 years, and will be required to appear before the Virginia Board of Medicine in an effort to prove his competence. It was also decreed by the board that Dr. Plotnick not treat chronic-care patients.

Dr. Plotnick specialized in fibromyalgia, and according to the Virginian-Pilot was known for his aggressive treatment of chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. It has been reported that he often prescribed powerful narcotic drugs to his patients.

The medical malpractice allegations against him include the failure to document treatment plans, and neglecting to require written contracts with those of his patients who were taking narcotics. It is alleged that he failed to dismiss patients for noncompliance, and that he repeatedly renewed prescriptions without examinations.

This medical malpractice behavior allegedly continued even when family members reported that they thought their relatives were overmedicated. Some patients were alleged to have reported suicidal thoughts.

According to the records of the Virginia Board of Medicine, 5 patients died between 2004 and 2008 from overdoses, or toxic combinations of powerful drugs prescribed by Dr. Plotnick. One patient is alleged to have arrived at Plotnick's office "confused, falling down, exhibiting slurred speech, was 'zombie-like' and complained that all she did was sleep."

That very same patient died later the same month from a combination of drugs Dr. Stephen Plotnick had allegedly prescribed.

Medical malpractice is serious business, even if the majority of your patients like you. Those who have been harmed, however, will be hoping you have sufficient medical malpractice insurance for the lawsuit that will be coming. Medical malpractice law protects innocent patients from the excesses, and oversights of medical professionals, and medical malpractice attorneys are well versed on the complexities, and nuances of that discipline of law. If you, or a family member has been harmed, seek the services of a qualified attorney.