Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Blog

Many people have criticized New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's choice to undergo a risky lap-band surgery. Gov. Christie secretly had the surgery in February at NYU's Langone Weight Management Program, a clinic that has been linked to multiple surgical errors in the past.

In 2009, three patients died after their lap-band procedures at the clinic and at least one wrongful death lawsuit and six medical malpractice claims were brought against the doctor who performed Christie's procedure.

Lap band, or gastric banding, procedures involve the installation of a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to restrict hunger. The procedure, however, has been linked to multiple issues, including band erosion, infections, scarring and ulcers. In patients who are not overly obese, however, it has had fewer complications than other weight-loss procedures, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.

A cardiologist working for Pennsylvania Hospital faces at least one medical malpractice lawsuit after state regulators determined he placed unnecessary stents in approximately 20 patients and likely more.

Stents are surgical mesh tubes that open up clogged blood vessels. People who receive stents must be on blood thinners and other medications for the rest of their lives. Stents are not only costly, but also risky. They may need replacement over time and, in some cases, can collapse, causing imminent harm to a patient.

The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) recently announced its opposition to bans on transvaginal mesh surgery.

"A ban on mesh would have a chilling effect on research in this area and would severely limit the advancement of science and future innovations that could significantly help women," Tony Visco, the AUGS President, said in a March statement. "We recommend preserving all surgical options including transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse."

Thousands of women who have been injured by transvaginal mesh surgeries disagree. They have experienced prolapse recurrence, urinary problems, infections and other major, lifelong complications from surgeries that were meant to help them find relief.

"Diagnostic errors are the most common, the most costly and the most deadly of all medical errors," a John Hopkins University School of Medicine neurologist and lead author of a study on malpractice claims, David E. Newman, recently told The Washington Post.

The study examined 350,000 U.S. medical malpractice allegations and payments made between 1986 and 2010. Researchers found that diagnostic errors, including misdiagnosis, incorrect diagnosis and delayed diagnosis, were the most frequent errors cited in medical malpractice claims and the most likely med mal claims to win in court.