Chesapeake Regional Under Fire: Fraud Allegations and Unnecessary Surgeries
A wave of legal action has hit Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, raising serious questions about patient safety and institutional oversight.
In a shocking turn of events, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of healthcare fraud and the performance of unnecessary surgeries. The medical center is grappling with the fallout from the actions of a former physician, Dr. Javaid Perwaiz, who is currently serving a 59-year prison sentence for healthcare fraud. But the legal battles don’t stop there. Over 500 women have filed lawsuits against the hospital and its leadership, alleging negligence and a failure to protect patients from Dr. Perwaiz’s harmful practices. This unfolding saga has not only shaken the local community but has also sent shockwaves through the healthcare industry, prompting discussions about patient rights, hospital accountability, and the potential for financial incentives to compromise medical ethics.
The Unfolding Legal Drama
The lawsuits against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center paint a disturbing picture of alleged misconduct and negligence. The 510 plaintiffs are seeking $10 million each, claiming that the hospital’s executives were aware of Dr. Perwaiz’s pattern of performing unnecessary surgeries, including hysterectomies and sterilizations, yet failed to take appropriate action to stop him. These surgeries, it is alleged, occurred between 2010 and 2019, despite repeated concerns raised by hospital staff.
Adding fuel to the fire, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center itself has been indicted on federal criminal charges of healthcare fraud and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. Prosecutors allege that the hospital knowingly allowed Dr. Perwaiz to continue operating and collected approximately $18.5 million in reimbursements from government and commercial insurers for the procedures he performed between 2010 and 2019.
A Doctor’s Deception
Dr. Javaid Perwaiz’s actions are at the center of this controversy. Federal prosecutors have accused him of falsifying records to justify surgeries, including fabricating cancer diagnoses and altering obstetric records to meet insurance criteria for early inductions. Court documents also reveal that he backdated consent forms to bypass Medicaid’s 30-day waiting period for elective sterilizations.
In November 2020, Dr. Perwaiz was convicted on 52 federal counts of healthcare fraud and false statements. Thirty-eight of those counts involved procedures performed at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. His medical license expired shortly before his conviction.
Hospital’s Response
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare has vehemently denied any knowledge of Dr. Perwaiz’s fraudulent activities. In a statement, the hospital asserted that Dr. Perwaiz was never an employee and that his actions occurred without the organization’s awareness. The hospital has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, describing the indictment as “unfounded and an excessive overreach” by the government.
The Victims’ Stories
The women who have filed lawsuits against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center allege that they suffered severe physical and emotional harm as a result of Dr. Perwaiz’s unnecessary surgeries. Some claim they were subjected to multiple unnecessary procedures, including early induced labors, “tumor removals” for cancer they did not have, and tubal ligations without consent.
One plaintiff, Dracena Holloway, claims she received numerous unnecessary surgeries from Perwaiz, some that left her with painful, irreversible damage for life. She alleges that she was only in her 20s when she received her first surgery from Perwaiz. According to the lawsuit, Holloway received numerous unnecessary surgeries by Perwaiz, including but not limited to three early induced labors, a “tumor removal” for cancer that “she did not have,” and a “tubal ligation at the age of 27 without consent.” “I have abdominal pain and it’s really bad, to the point where I can’t stand on my feet for more than 4 hours,” Holloway said, “and sometimes I have to walk on a cane.” The suit asks for $10 million per plaintiff for damages that women like Holloway said they will face for life.
Legal and Ethical Implications
This case raises several important legal and ethical questions:
- Hospital Liability: To what extent is a hospital liable for the actions of a physician who has privileges at the hospital but is not an employee?
- Corporate Negligence: Can a hospital be held liable for corporate negligence if its executives were aware of a physician’s misconduct but failed to take action?
- Informed Consent: What are the legal and ethical requirements for obtaining informed consent from patients before surgery?
- Financial Incentives: How can hospitals ensure that financial incentives do not compromise medical ethics and patient safety?
Seeking Justice and Accountability
The lawsuits against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center represent a pursuit of justice and accountability for the alleged harm caused by Dr. Perwaiz’s actions and the hospital’s alleged negligence. The plaintiffs hope to not only receive compensation for their injuries but also to bring about meaningful changes in hospital practices and oversight to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
What to Do If You Believe You Are a Victim
If you believe that you have been a victim of unnecessary surgery or medical malpractice at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, it is important to seek legal advice from a qualified attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and can represent you in a lawsuit against the hospital and other responsible parties.
You may also want to consider the following steps:
- Obtain your medical records: Request copies of your medical records from Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.
- Consult with a medical expert: A medical expert can review your medical records and determine whether the surgeries you received were medically necessary and whether the standard of care was met.
- File a complaint with the Virginia Board of Medicine: The Virginia Board of Medicine is responsible for licensing and regulating physicians in Virginia. You can file a complaint with the board if you believe that a physician has engaged in misconduct.
- Contact the Patient Experience Team: Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s Patient Experience Team is available to assist you with any non-medical questions, concerns or difficulties you may have. Please call 757-312-6244, Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m.- 6:30p.m. You may also email at PEX_Support@chesapeakeregional.com.
The case against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center serves as a stark reminder of the importance of patient safety, hospital accountability, and the need for robust oversight to prevent healthcare fraud and unnecessary surgeries. As the legal proceedings unfold, it is hoped that the truth will come to light and that justice will be served for those who have been harmed.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice or unnecessary surgery, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Contact our firm today for a free consultation.