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SURGEON MISTAKES KIDNEY FOR CANCEROUS TUMOR

The Messina Law Firm Nov. 16, 2018

Fox news is reporting a Florida surgeon mistakes kidney for a cancerous tumor. The woman’s kidney was perfectly healthy, but he mistook it and inexplicably removed it during a routine back surgery, according to a report.

Maureen Pacheco, then 51, checked into Wellington Regional Medical Center back in April 2016 to get the bones in her lower back fused after a car accident, The Palm Beach Post reported.

Lawsuit

During the operation, Dr. Ramon Vazquez spotted the organ which he believed to be a tumor. He declared an emergency and removed it, according to a lawsuit obtained by the paper that was settled in September.

Pacheco never had a say in the matter, according to the lawsuit.

And Vazquez wasn’t even the one doing the back surgery. His job was just to cut her open so surgeons could perform the operation.

Florida’s Department of Health has since filed a complaint against Vasquez.

He Was Once Chairman of Surgery

Dr. Vazquez, who has served as chairman of surgery at Palm Beach Medical Center since January also has privileges at St. Mary’s and Good Samaritan medical centers, as well as Bethesda Memorial Hospital. Dr. Vasquez could be required to a pay a fine, at best. Or lose his medical license, at worst, according to the report.

Prior to this complaint and a malpractice claim filed by Pacheco, he had a clean record, according to the report.

“The case was settled on his behalf for a nominal amount due to the uncertainty of litigation. And in no way did Dr. Vazquez admit liability by agreeing to this settlement,” Vazquez’s attorney Mark Mittelmark told the paper in an email.

Medical Malpractice

Dr. Vazquez does not carry malpractice insurance. The malpractice insurers for Pacheco’s primary surgeons Dr. John Britt and Dr. Jeffrey Kugler, settled for $250,000 each, the outlet reported.

If you or someone you love has been injured by another party or person, then contact Joey Messina a medical malpractice attorney with Messina Law Firm. There is never any fee upfront since Joey works on a contingency basis, meaning he gets paid only if he wins your case. Call him today.