Spinal Injury Center Sues Competitor Over Malpractice Claims

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Shapiro Law Group

A Florida spine-injury center is suing a rival institute, accusing the doctors there of attracting patients by making false claims.

The Laser Spine Institute is one of the busiest spinal injury centers in America, treating about 5,000 patients a year nationwide. The Bonati Institute, a rival spine-injury facility, filed a lawsuit accusing Laser Spine of lying to patients about its malpractice history.

Bonati released e-mails from 2010 and 2011 showing at least two instances where a Laser Spine representative told a prospective patient that the center had “never had a medical malpractice case.”

However, records show that the company has several pending malpractice lawsuits dating back to 2009. By 2010, Laser Spine’s malpractice insurer had already paid a $650,000 settlement to a 61-year-old woman who claimed she suffered nerve damage and incontinence after her surgery at the facility.

How Can I Find Out More About My Doctor’s Malpractice History?

Choosing the right doctor can make a serious impact on your surgery’s overall success. Surgical facilities may offer information, but it is important for patients to verify their claims through independent research.

Patients in Florida can use several tools to research a doctor’s malpractice history:

License verification – Once you learn your doctor’s full name and license number, it is easier to search him or her in state databases.

“Physician Profile” – This site is contains useful information about physicians, including board certifications, other states where the doctor may be licensed, criminal convictions and some malpractice information. Unfortunately, doctors submit the information themselves, and Florida’s medical board does not verify anything but the criminal background check information.

Previously paid malpractice claims – Maintained by the Florida Department of Financial Services, this site informs patients about claims that have already been paid by malpractice insurance companies. This site can be useful once a case has been decided, but it does not disclose pending suits or suits that were lost on a technicality.

Unfortunately, no amount of research can prevent an accident if the doctor acts negligently. After a misdiagnosis or surgical error, you may need a licensed attorney to get the information you need for your case.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Florida?

If you need help finding the information you need to support your claim, let the medical malpractice attorneys at Shapiro Law Group offer some advice. We have been helping victims of medical malpractice for more than 30 years, so schedule a free consultation today.

[Did You Know: The plastic surgeon who operated on Kanye West’s mother lost several malpractice lawsuits before her death.]

Shapiro Law Group – Medical Malpractice Attorneys Serving the Tampa Bay Area

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-15/laser-spine-institute-dangled-illegal-incentives-to-attract-back-surgery-patients-lawsuit-alleges

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