• 28
  • September
    2011

We have previously written on this blog about Dr. Stefan Konasiewicz, a Corpus Christi brain surgeon who was disciplined by Minnesota's medical board for "unprofessional and unethical conduct" prior to coming to Texas in 2007. Prior to his move to Texas, the surgeon had been sued for malpractice by multiple patients. Dr. Konasiewicz currently works at South Texas Brain and Spine Center.

According to a local paper in Duluth, Minnesota, at least 82 patients or family members of patients have been identified. Out of all these, at least nine have filed malpractice suits against the Doctor as well as his previous employer from 1997 to 2008, St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. Sources said that St. Luke's and the surgeon have settled six of the suits for at least $3.2 million. Two of the suits resulted in non-negligent verdicts.

Some of the surgeon's Corpus Christi patients state they wish they had known of Dr. Kanasiewicz's past mishaps, especially in light of the difficulties Texans often face in holding doctor's accountable.

According to sources, patients in Texas often have difficulties finding an attorney who will take their malpractice case. According to some advocacy groups, patients harmed by dangerous doctors find it "virtually impossible" to gain access to legal protection and hold such doctors accountable.

Part of the reason behind the difficulty is thought to lie in tort reform which has capped at $250,000 the amount of non-economic damages a plaintiff may receive from a doctor. Some attorneys believe the cap takes the incentive away from filing such cases, which can be expensive to see through. Sources said that since 2003, over 11,000 doctors have moved to Texas, largely because of the decreased risk of malpractice suits.

Some feel the Texas Medical Board needs to do more in terms of disciplining dangerous doctors. Patients unable to get an attorney to take their case have been disappointed with what they feel is a lack of accountability for doctors.

Source: Duluth News Tribune, "Some of former Duluth doctor's Texas patients claim harm," Brandon Stahl, Sep 26, 2011.