Doctor Hit with Fifth Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical malpractice lawsuits continue to mount against an Iowa doctor who helped run a pain-relief clinic in Des Moines.

The Des Moines Register reports that the fifth malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Daniel Baldi was filed by the family of Chad Martin, who died in September of an oxycodone overdose. The complaint alleges that the doctor was “grossly negligent” in prescribing the narcotic without properly assessing Martin’s medication needs or monitoring his painkiller use. The doctor has denied the allegations.

The Register reports that Martin’s death was one of eight brought up by prosecutors last month when criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter were filed against the doctor. Prosecutors claim Dr. Baldi prescribed large amounts of pain drugs to patients.

Three other overdose lawsuits were filed earlier this year against Dr. Baldi, as well as one claiming he failed to properly insert a pain-medication pump, writes the Register. One of the wrongful-death lawsuits settled for an undisclosed amount.

The doctor also faces administrative charges from the Iowa Board of Medicine, which licenses physicians, alleging that he failed to take precautions against drug abuse. Dr. Baldi has denied all wrongdoing but agreed not to practice medicine while the criminal case is being heard, according to the Register. The medical board has since put its case on hold.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation and to find out if a medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help you.

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