Hundreds of spine patients claim that an Ohio doctor, Dr. Abubakar Atiq Durrani, botched surgeries and completed unnecessary procedures. Many of these medically-unnecessary surgeries were billed to Medicare and Medicaid. Attorneys for both the doctor and local hospitals where he practiced have filed motions to move these cases to the U.S. District Court. The indictment includes 36 charges where serious bodily injury occurred from the doctor performing unnecessary surgeries.
A representative for 523 patients involved in the claims believes that this is just a measure to delay the trial.
Dr. Durrani fled the United States in 2013 following his indictment on federal charges.
Surgeries were completed at the following hospitals:
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Good Samaritan
- Christ
- Deaconess
- West Chester Hospital
The surgeries were completed between the years of 2007 and 2013.
Reports indicate that the doctor is currently working at a hospital in his home country of Pakistan as the Chief of Orthopedic Spinal Surgery. Dr. Durrani’s wife and children are still in the U.S.
While some claims have been settled with the involved hospitals, hundreds of civil lawsuits are still pending. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice and West Chester Hospital (affiliated with UC Health), reached a settlement to pay some of the claims. The settlement amount was $4.1 million dollars. The settlement was for billing Medicare and Medicaid for the unnecessary procedures.
Harman Law LLC fights for victims of medical malpractice. If you believe you have been injured due to medical negligence, our attorneys will assess your potential case in a free, no cost and no obligation consultation. Call our office today at 1-888-55-HARMAN or (404) 554-0777.
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