Last month, a Texas doctor was arrested on a number of serious charges related to the level of care he provided to his patients and the potential fraud that he committed against the U.S. government. He was also charged with federal money laundering offenses. Essentially, the government is claiming that the doctor falsely diagnosed patients in order to conduct expensive tests and prescribe certain types of medication that may have been unnecessary.
While the case against the doctor was initially brought based on the fraud he allegedly committed against the government, many of the doctor’s former patients have begun to come forward to explain how the doctor’s conduct caused them serious injuries. According to a recent local news source, federal investigators now believe that there may be over 3,000 victims affected by the doctor’s conduct – many in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas (including McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, Brownsville, Harlingen) as well as in the greater San Antonio area, where the doctor had offices.
The article discusses a few of the former doctor’s patients, including a man who claims that he was falsely diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis by the doctor, who placed the patient on a strong prescription drug. After taking the medication for some time, the patient began to develop burns on his skin, and his fingernails and toenails started falling off. Later, after the patient began to lose his skin, he consulted with another doctor, who told the patient that he never had rheumatoid arthritis and immediately took the patient off the prescription medication. The patient claims that his symptoms were caused by the prescription medication.
Another former patient of the doctor visited him initially for her carpal-tunnel syndrome. However, the doctor diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis and administered several medications and injections without telling the patient the names of the drugs he was giving her. Shortly after being treated by the doctor, the patient lost 50 pounds, couldn’t walk, and was unable to keep her food down. The patient died a few months later from a heart attack and organ failure.
Medical Malpractice Cases in Texas
All Texas doctors have a duty to provide their patients with a certain level of care. When a doctor either intentionally or negligently fails to provide the required level of care, and a patient is injured as a result, the doctor may be liable for any injuries the patient suffered through a medical malpractice lawsuit. Texas medical malpractice cases require that an expert report be provided to the defendant in a timely manner. This requirement is extremely important because, if it is not followed, a court may dismiss a plaintiff’s otherwise meritorious case.
Have You Been a Victim of Medical Malpractice?
If you or a loved one has recently been a victim of what you believe to have been medical malpractice, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated Texas medical malpractice attorneys at the law firm of Rush & Gransee represent victims of medical malpractice and their family members in cases against the professionals responsible for their injuries. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, call 888-501-9299 today. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we are able to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
See Additional Blog Posts:
Did more than one misdiagnosis cause the need to amputate?, Antonio Injury Lawyer Blog, June 20, 2017.
South Texas Doctor Indicted on Health Care Fraud Charges, Antonio Injury Lawyer Blog, May 30, 2018.
