Surgeon found guilty of medical negligence
After being found guilty of medical negligence, surgeon Mark Weinberger fled his home land, to escape the penalisation he would face, due to the death of one of his patients.
Dr. Weinberger incorrectly diagnosed 50-year-old patient Phyllis Barnes in 2004, stating she needed sinus surgery, when in fact she had throat cancer.
Shortly before Barnes’ death, the doctor abandoned his medical practice in Merrillville, Indiana and fled to Greece.
A three- person panel jury all agreed that Weinberger was guilty of medical negligence. However, his insurance company has refused to pay the judgement due to his status as a fugitive and will not co-operate.
Attorney Kenneth Allen stated that the Indiana Department of Insurance should pay the judgment instead, so that Barnes’ family will not be required to take part in a trial by jury.
According to Allen, Weinberger has hundreds of cases pending, but this is the first and only one in which a decision has been made.
Updated on 06/04/2009