Westmoreland Hospital Unneeded Stent Class Action

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST WESTMORELAND HOSPITAL, TWO DOCTORS FOR SURGERY SCAM

** Patients file suit against Excela Health and doctors for having to undergo unnecessary and risky cardiac surgery without informed consent **

On March 9, 2011, our firm filed a class action lawsuit against Excela Health, parent company of Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, PA, and two doctors, Dr. Ehab F. Morcos and Dr. George M. Bou Samra, stating that the two physicians encouraged patients to consent to medically unnecessary cardiac catheterization and stent placement surgery for the financial benefit of the hospital, and that hospital administration failed in its oversight of the physicians.

“The plaintiffs in this complaint went to Westmoreland Hospital expecting to get premier care,” said Attorney William Caroselli. “Instead, they underwent a risky and expensive procedure they didn’t need, leaving them at risk for serious health complications down the road just so the hospital and doctors could make a few extra bucks. Unfortunately we can’t correct this wrong – but we can hold Excela Health and these two physicians accountable for their irresponsible actions.”

The plaintiffs named in the suit are Carolyn Armstrong, of Tarrs, PA, and Peter Mosco, Jr., of Latrobe, PA. The plaintiffs are seeking relief on behalf of all others who were similarly harmed by Excela Health and the two doctors. The complaint was filed in Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. It is case number 1539 of 2011.

According to the complaint, Westmoreland physician George Bou Samra, M.D. wrongly informed Armstrong and Mosco that their coronary arteries were blocked at levels indicating that insertion of a cardiac stent was necessary. The plaintiffs then underwent the medical procedure without informed consent.

As a result of these actions, the plaintiffs, in addition to having to incur a medical procedure that included risk of death, will be forced to endure long-term drug therapy and will suffer from increased risks of serious medical complications like blood clots and heart attack.

The complaint states that Westmoreland Hospital and its employees, including Bou Samra and Morcos, performed hundreds, or even thousands, of similar catheterization stent procedures without obtaining informed consent.

The hospital is being charged with failure to get informed consent to perform surgeries, unjust enrichment from performing surgeries without obtaining informed consent, and administrative negligence.

“It is scary enough to have to undergo treatment for a heart complication,” added Caroselli. “But to know that you can’t even trust your physician or hospital when you’re at that vulnerable point is inexcusable. No one should have to go through what these patients went through.”

Contact us today if you may have received an unneeded stent

Contact one of our experienced class action lawyer, William Caroselli, by calling us at 412-391-9860 in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, or toll free at 866-466-5789. You may also complete our online contact form. Initial consultations are free and confidential.

To read the complete Pittsburgh Tribune Review article Review: 141 patients got unnecessary heart stents click here.