Personal Injury Law

Fertility Doctor Charged with Medical Malpractice

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

Justice News Flash reported last night on a high profile example of medical malpractice. Dr. Michael Kamrava was the California fertility doctor who performed the artificial insemination on Nadya Suleman which resulted Ms. Kuleman giving birth to eight children. The unique nature of the births and interest in the children brought media attention to the doctor as Suleman became known across the nation as ?Octomom.?

The Medical Board of California recently accused Dr. Kamrava of medical malpractice both in Suleman?s case and others. In the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Suleman?s octuplets, the Medical Board called Dr. Kamrava guilty of ?a pattern of gross negligence? in allowing the process to unfold and for failing to adequately ensure that Suleman was a proper candidate to undergo the procedure. Suleman had six other children before the octuplet births, all of which were conceived through in vitro-fertilization (IVF).

This week the Medical Board filed charged Dr. Kamrava with other negligent acts, where he placed the patient?s safety in jeopardy. For example, Dr. Kamrava inserted seven embryos in a forty-eight year old woman which ultimately resulted in the woman becoming pregnant with quadruplets and placing her in extreme risk of complications. Eventually, the woman lost one child during birth and delivered the other three by Caesarian section with one developing severe brain problems.

In that case, the Medical Board explained that Dr. Kamrava failed to have the patient undergo a mental health evaluation and adequately determine if she was prepared to undergo multi-fetal pregnancy reduction. The standard of practice in the field mandates that those steps be followed.

These patterns make clear that Dr. Kamrava is often motivated more by selling a procedure and making money than ensuring the safety of the patients who seek his treatment. Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti have dealt with doctors and other medical professionals who had similar priorities. It is never appropriate for a doctor, nurse, aide, or hospital administrator to place the bottom line of the budget ahead of the proper care of those depending on their medical services.

If you suspect any deviation from what is proper care, contact a medical malpractice attorney to share your story and determine if more action is needed.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on July 16, 2010 (boomark / email).