Neurosurgeon Faces Criminal Medical Malpractice Charges

Authorities in Texas are accusing a Dallas neurosurgeon of “intentionally, knowingly and recklessly” committing medical malpractice against patients with debilitating injuries. Prosecutors allege that Dr. Christopher Duntsch committed medical malpractice on up to 15 patients in only two years. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office claims that Dr. Duntsch used his tools and skills as “deadly weapons” and emailed his girlfriend to tell her he wanted to “become a cold blooded killer.”

Details of the Medical Malpractice Charges

Prosecutors have filed six criminal counts against Dr. Duntsch, all related to techniques that can be construed as medical malpractice. The charges include five counts of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and one of causing injury to an elderly person. The charges stem from four patients who were injured due to potential medical malpractice, as well as an elderly patient who died in July 2012. A grand jury indicted Dr. Duntsch in July, and the Texas Medical Board revoked his license in 2013.

Medical Malpractice Allegations

The prosecutor’s office also released a report showing numerous instances of Dr. Duntsch’s medical malpractice. A search warrant obtained for his office revealed the details of several cases. The report showed that he allegedly placed screws and plates in a patient’s spine in a haphazard manner. In another, he reportedly severed a major vein during surgery. Other reports of possible medical malpractice show incidents ranging from operating on the wrong patient, to leaving another patient in such chronic pain that she must remain in a wheelchair.

Email Sparks Medical Malpractice Accusations

An email prosecutors obtained from Dr. Duntsch to his then-girlfriend showed that the allegations may go beyond simple medical malpractice. The message from December 2011 shows that the surgeon may have entertained malicious thoughts and exhibited severe emotional problems. The email stated that the doctor was “ready to leave the love and kindness and goodness and patience” he had previously shown. The message also contains the statement that he was ready to “become a cold blooded killer.”

Surgeon’s Medical Malpractice “Places Patients’ Lives At Risk”

The affidavit that allowed police to search Dr. Duntsch’s records stated that the surgeon’s medical malpractice indicates that he “knowingly takes actions that place the patients’ lives at risk.” The Texas Medical Board voted to revoke his license in 2013 after his actions led to the death of at least two patients. Meanwhile, his defense attorney claims that the case is simple medical malpractice and that his $600,000 bond should be reduced. A Dallas County judge refused to lower the bond, so the doctor remains in jail until his upcoming trial.

Source: Yahoo! Health

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