In Florida, patients filed hundreds of lawsuits against a surgeon who maimed people during operations

At least 522 lawsuits have been filed against the hospital and former orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Hickin. Doctor accused of operating on patients with advanced neurological disease News4jax.

Photo: IStock

The lawsuits allege that Hikin was allowed to operate on patients for years at Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside Hospital while suffering from a progressive neurological condition that left him unbalanced and slurred. The plaintiffs allege that the surgeon caused severe injuries to the patients, including broken hips, torn tendons, severe nerve damage and even death.

According to lawsuits, the doctor had obvious health problems, but the hospital did not prevent him from operating. Many plaintiffs have approached Dr. Hikin for hip or knee replacements.

The lawsuits allege that the doctor's condition worsened from 2015 until his retirement in 2020. The plaintiffs say the recordings show a doctor slurring right after performing surgeries in 2020.

On the subject: US recalls pneumonia drug because it can cause life-threatening infections

The lawsuit alleges that St. Vincent's actually profited from Dr. Hickin's surgical errors, because the patients he maimed were sent back to him for correction. In court records, the health system denies this.

Attorney Shannon Schott, not involved in the trial, explained why 522 cases were filed separately.

“When it comes to the physical body, it’s hard to put people in a class action because every physical body is different,” Schott said. “So you typically don’t see class actions in cases like medical malpractice.”

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

However, the claims are merged into one case. Schott said it helps them navigate the system faster.

“Consolidation gives the defendant some due process when they are not fighting 500 and something cases at the same time,” she said.

The Court held that at least some of the plaintiffs could sue not only for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, but also for punitive damages.

“It is possible that a ten-figure verdict could be handed down in this case,” Schott said, hinting at compensation.

A court hearing in several cases is scheduled for August. The jury must decide whether the defendants are responsible for the plaintiffs' injuries and whether they should pay damages. Court records show that the hospital claimed responsibility in some of the cases involving Dr. Hikin, but not in others.

The health system said in court documents that if anyone was negligent, it was the doctor, while Dr. Hickin's lawyers accused patients of things like not following instructions or not reporting symptoms to medical professionals.

Read also on ForumDaily:

In California, scammers stole $ 3,1 million from the Medicare program

Strengths and weaknesses of crocs: the opinion of orthopedists

US recalls tens of thousands of hoverboards due to fire risk: two children have already died

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.