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Keeping Up With Doctors Who Move From State To State

By Ben Glass

In 2004, Dr. Enrique Tomeu abruptly closed his obstetrics practice in Virginia Beach and left the area after multiple medical malpractice suits were filed against him for allegedly injuring babies during delivery. It now seems that the worst may have been yet to come.

Tomeu practiced in New Zealand for a year when he was found at least partly responsible for the death of a baby by a coroner. After being relieved of his duties, he turned up in North Carolina, continuing to practice medicine.

This case newly illustrates that despite recent reforms, it is possible for a doctor to remain ahead of their medical malpractice records by moving.

Virginia Beach Circuit Court records show that Tomeu had been named as a defendant in seven malpractice suits over a 10 year period. Three of the cases resulted in payments to the plaintiffs on two settlements and one jury verdict. The three cases totaled over $500,000.

In each case, the circumstances were similar. In each, the babies Tomeu delivered allegedly suffered shoulder dystocia, which occurs when the baby's shoulder is caught behind the pelvic bone of the mother during delivery. In that position, the nerves connecting the shoulder, arm, and hand of the baby to the spinal cord can be stretched, torn, or pulled from the spinal column.

The injury is the most common among deliveries of large babies and can cause the condition of Erb's palsy, which is a form of paralysis that leaves the shoulder, arm, and hand permanently disabled.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ben Glass

Full post as published by Northern Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer on July 22, 2008 (boomark / email).