350 Florida Lawsuits Allege Orthopedic Surgeon Harmed Patients: Lawsuits filed in Florida allege that patients of orthopedic surgeon Richard David Heekin, M.D., who specialized in hip and knee replacement surgeries, noticed between 2016 and 2020 that Heekin was slurring his words and he was having difficulty with balance, he had concentration problems, he was having angry outbursts, he exhibited erratic behavior, he had gait disturbances, and he had impaired judgment and mood. Nonetheless, the hospital allegedly allowed the orthopedic surgeon to continue performing surgeries, which, according to lawsuits, resulted in errors during surgeries involving bone fractures, ruptured tendons, and severed nerves. Many of his patients allegedly required revision surgeries as a result of surgical mistakes, and at least one patient allegedly died as a result of surgical complications.
More than 350 lawsuits have already been filed and an additional 100 lawsuits are expected to be filed before the end of 2022. Many of the lawsuits name Heekin, his medical practice, and Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, as defendants.
The death case involves 70-year-old Lucinda Bonk, who was undergoing hip replacement surgery performed by Heekin in September 2018 during which he allegedly fractured her femur that he then attempted to repair during the longer-than-anticipated surgery, resulting in deteriorating vital signs and ultimately her death (the death certificate stated her death was due to complications of a femur fracture).
Another lawsuit alleges that a patient ended up with one leg shorter than the other, allegedly as a result of Heekin implanting the wrong size femoral component during hip replacement surgery. Another patient’s lawsuit alleges that she suffered drop foot from nerve damage caused during surgery performed by Heekin.
Heekin reportedly was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, which causes serious problems with walking, balance, and eye movements. Later symptoms include swallowing problems. The condition worsens over time. At this time it is unclear if or when the defendant hospital became aware of Heekin’s progressive neurological condition. Nonetheless, lawsuits allege that hospital medical staff were aware of Heekin’s declining surgical skills that were leading to avoidable harm suffered by surgical patients.
Heekin voluntarily retired from performing surgery in 2020. The first trial is scheduled to begin in August 2023 for six consolidated lawsuits serving as a bellwether trial.
The husband of the patient who died stated, “She just wanted me to hold her hand during the surgery and after the surgery. Needless to say, I didn’t get that opportunity. It still hits me today. You don’t ever get over it.” With regard to the hospital, the husband stated, “You trust them. That’s what they’re in business for.”
If you or a loved one have suffered serious harm (or worse) as a result of medical negligence in Florida or in another U.S. state, you should promptly find a Florida medical malpractice attorney, or a medical malpractice attorney in your state, who may investigate your medical malpractice claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
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