Kaiser Caused Permanent Nerve Damage, Patient Says
12-27-2013 23:39:00


     PORTLAND, Ore. (CN) - When a Kaiser surgeon removed a cancerous growth from a man’s forehead, he caused permanent nerve damage resulting in excruciating pain, the patient claims in a lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
     Patrick L. Drury sued Daniel R. Clayburgh, M.D., Northwest Permanente, P.C., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest dba Kaiser Permanente.
     Drury says in his five-page lawsuit that his dermatologist referred him to otolaryngologist Clayburgh in Dec. 2011, for surgical removal of a basal cell carcinoma from his forehead.
     “During the procedure, Dr. Clayburgh severed and then cauterized and sutured blood vessels and nerves, thereby causing Patrick to suffer atypical facial pain – a permanent injury to Patrick’s surrounding nerves resulting in excruciating pain across his scalp and inside his brain,” the complaint states.
     Drury accuses his doctors and Kaiser of failing to obtain informed consent. He says in his complaint that they did not clearly explain the treatment, the surgical and non-surgical alternatives, and the risks of the proposed surgery. He says he “would not have elected surgical excision of a basal cell carcinoma from his right forehead had he been properly advised of the procedure, its risks and the alternative methods of treatment available.”
     Plaintiff seeks economic special damages of $33,000, non-economic general damages of $5 million, and costs and disbursements incurred. He is represented by Michael F. Van Hoomissen of Portland.

1311-16257