Latest news with #medicalmalpractice
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Surgeon who 'lied about how he lost his legs and encouraged others to amputate body parts' is charged with fraud
A vascular surgeon who allegedly lied about how he lost his legs and carried out hundreds of amputation operations has been charged with fraud, police said. Neil Hopper, 49, has also been charged with encouraging someone else to remove the body parts of others. Hopper, of Truro in Cornwall, is due before Cornwall Magistrates' Court in Bodmin on Wednesday accused of two counts of fraud by false representation, and a charge of encouraging or assisting in the commission of an indictable-only offence, namely grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that on dates between June 3 and June 26 2019, Hopper dishonestly made a false representation to insurers claiming that his leg injuries were the 'result of sepsis and were not self-inflicted'. It is also alleged that between August 21 2018 and December 04 2020, Hopper bought videos from The EunuchMaker website showing the removal of limbs, which 'encouraged Marius Gustavson to remove body parts of third parties'. Hopper has not worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust since March 2023. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service's interim orders tribunal placed restrictions on his practice the following month while the General Medical Council investigated, and he has been suspended from the medical register since December 2023. A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said: 'The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, where Mr Hopper has been employed, has worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police throughout the investigation.' A hospital trust spokesman added: 'The charges do not relate to Mr Hopper's professional conduct and there has been no evidence to suggest any risk to patients. 'Mr Hopper worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals from 2013 until he was suspended from duty in March 2023, following his initial arrest. 'Former patients with any questions or concerns about their treatment can contact the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' patient experience team.' Hopper was in 2020 named one of the bravest people in Britain. He received the Against All Odds title at the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons 2020, in a virtual ceremony hosted by BBC1 TV Breakfast presenter Rachel Burden.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman claims her life is shattered after Harvard hospital allegedly severs artery during routine surgery
A Massachusetts woman is suing Harvard University's prestigious teaching hospital claiming she had to have her lung removed following what was supposed to be a routine procedure. Elizabeth Kousoubris, a 54-year-old mother of two and Boston University adjunct professor, alleges in her lawsuit that a minimally invasive surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) spiraled into a life-altering ordeal due to a critical surgical error. According to court filings, surgeons accidentally severed her pulmonary artery - a blood vessels that carries oxygen from the heart to lungs - cutting off blood supply to her lung and forcing its removal. Kousoubris, a lifelong athlete, told she had lived a 'pristine lifestyle,' running marathons and never smoking a cigarette. But a routine x-ray in 2021 revealed a small, slow-growing cancerous mass on her right lung, according to court documents. Doctors monitored it for more than a year before advising surgery in April 2023. Trusting the reputation of MGH, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, Kousoubris agreed to undergo what she believed would be a straightforward operation to remove the mass. Instead, her family claims in a lawsuit that a surgical mistake triggered a cascade of life-threatening complications. The severed artery deprived her lung of blood and caused it to rapidly deteriorate. Kousoubris spent several days in critical condition before surgeons were forced to remove the entire lung, the family and court documents say. Kousoubris told 'There's a level of comfort when you go to Mass General. You know they deal with complex situations. 'You know that they have top people. And then to have this happen and to have this stone barrier erected basically to prevent culpability. How in God's name did this happen?' Now, she and her husband, Dr. Philip Kousoubris, a neuroradiologist in the Boston area, are suing MGH for medical malpractice. Independent medical experts reviewing the case concluded that Kousoubris' care 'fell below the accepted standard of care,' directly resulting in the loss of her lung, according to a letter from the physicians shared with In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Mass General Brigham told 'While we are unable to comment on ongoing litigation, we are committed to providing safe, high quality care for our patients and always strive for the best possible outcomes and to ensure patients are aware of any potential complications prior to treatment. 'Complex surgeries such as the one described have many known risks. Our clinical teams discuss these risks with each patient prior to every surgery to ensure the patient is able to make their own informed decision.' Court documents provided to by MGH show the hospital has denied all accusations. In June 2023, Kousoubris underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (VATS), a minimally invasive procedure meant to remove a lobe using small incisions, court documents show. Kousoubris said: 'Everything that could go wrong, except for the fact that I lived, did.' Doctors allegedly were able to determine within the first hour of the procedure that Kousoubris had lymphoma, court documents show. They determined this through sampling the mass and sending it to pathology. However, the family says the surgical team allegedly didn't call Dr Kousoubris to tell him they found cancer or ask what further steps to take. Instead, they removed Kousoubris' entire upper right lobe of her lung to take out the mass, which was not part of the procedure. A three-hour surgery quickly turned into seven hours, the family says. Kousoubris spent two days in the hospital without complications before doctors sent her 'home to die,' she told On her third day home from the hospital, Kousoubris says she spiked a high fever and was hit with extreme nausea. She then returned to the hospital. Detailed in the complaint, CT scans revealed the pulmonary artery had been severed and stapled to her lung, which meant there was no blood flow to the lung. Kousoubris said she laid in a hospital bed for two days in 'indescribable' pain as her right lung became necrotic and died. Her only hope of surviving was a pneumonectomy, a risky operation that involves removing an entire lung. The pneumonectomy was successful, but Kousoubris was left in the ICU with only one lung, the complaint says. Once a lifelong athlete, she would have to learn how to walk, swim and even go outside again. Dr Kousoubris told this website: 'Elizabeth was botched and she never should have been.' He compared it to losing an eye during Lasik. 'This does not happen,' he said. Dr Keith Horvath, a cardiothoracic surgeon in the Washington DC area, consulted on the case as part of the Kousoubris family's ongoing lawsuit against MGH. He was not involved in the surgery. In a letter written to Kousoubris' lawyers, reviewed by Dr Horvath wrote: 'In my professional opinion, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, Ms. Kousoubris, age 52, suffered the loss of her right lung as a direct result of the substandard care and treatment rendered to her by thoracic surgeon.' The family said they consulted with independent doctors who claimed if a pulmonary artery is severed during surgery, it would immediately be noticeable, as the lung would change color. Dr Korvath in his letter also accused MGH of refusing to provide video of the procedure and instead allegedly sent him an 'incomplete' 32-minute audio recording that 'fails to include video of the stapling and division of critical structures which is at issue.' After a year and a half of subpoenas, MGH allegedly still has not provided video from the surgery, according to the complaint and the family. Dr Kousoubris, who spent several years practicing at Mass General before moving to another institution, said: 'There is a culture of denial and elitism and lack of culpability there that they cannot be touched. There is a culture there of coverup.' 'Nobody has the courage to stand up to the giant,' Kousoubris added. Kousoubris had a new battle to face when she came home from the hospital. Though she credits her strict diet and exercise routine for helping the process, she is far from recovered. 'Nothing could have prepared me for the last two years,' she told this website. A pneumonectomy results in a mediastinal shift, or the displacement of the central compartment of the chest, called the mediastinum. For Kousoubris, she claims her heart shifted positions and she suffers from atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat where the heart's upper chambers beat chaotically. Even while sitting down, she said her heart rate can spike to 180 beats per minute. She also claims, as detailed by court documents, she spent months during recovery coughing so severely that she often vomited. She has gone back to teaching part time, but the former athlete said she struggles to walk up stairs, let alone run marathons as she previously did. Kousoubris said: 'Breathing is something that we all do. We don't think about it, we just do it. And it's taken me almost two years to be able to walk and move, carry something and breathe at the same time. I had to learn how to do all of that again. 'My new normal is very different now.' As the litigation against MGH continues, Kousoubris hopes speaking out will inspire other patients to do the same. She said: 'As a human being, I feel an obligation. Not everyone's going to be as lucky as me. I'm the lucky one. 'I cannot sit back and be silenced. Maybe it'll save one life or invoke some change.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs Hits $1 Billion in Client Recoveries as It Celebrates Its 33rd Anniversary
With this achievement, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs sets a new standard for results-driven legal advocacy. The Houston-based law firm cites strong performance across personal injury and medical malpractice litigation as the drivers of its success and lasting legacy. Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2025) - Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has officially crossed the $1 billion mark in client recoveries, including verdicts, settlements and legal cost savings. The firm is excited to celebrate this milestone, which has become part of its anniversary celebrations as it marks 33 years of legal excellence in Houston. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs Hits $1 Billion in Client Recoveries as It Celebrates Its 33rd Anniversary To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This landmark achievement reflects the firm's more than 30 years of tough, results-driven advocacy and signals its litigation strength, long-term growth, and leadership in Houston's legal community. The $1 billion in recoveries is not just a financial milestone; it represents the firm's years of securing justice for victims of serious accidents, corporate negligence, and medical malpractice. Moreover, the achievement and anniversary prove the firm's staying power, ability to scale without losing the personal attention every client deserves, and its place as one of the most trusted personal injury law firms in Houston, Texas. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has built its reputation by handling some of the most complex personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Texas. Since opening its doors in 1992, the firm has helped thousands of individuals and families recover after life-changing injuries, becoming a fixture in the Houston legal community. The firm combines legal skills with aggressive representation and compassion to fight for and protect the rights of its clients. Backed by more than 100 years of combined experience, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs is known for going all in on every case to secure the best outcomes for clients. The firm's Houston personal injury lawyers, who include multiple Board-Certified personal injury trial attorneys, are backed by a collaborative, client-first approach. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs' legacy also includes major recognitions for its leadership and litigation excellence. This includes being honored with prestigious awards such as the Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, which was given to founding attorney Tommy Fibich in 2019. But more than awards, stats, or the 3-decade run, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs' commitment to serving clients remains at the core of everything. As Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs celebrates surpassing $1 billion in client recoveries and its 33rd anniversary, the firm recognizes that its success is deeply intertwined with the strength of its relationships with clients. Over the past three decades, the firm has built a stellar team of Houston personal injury lawyers who cultivate relationships with clients and collaborate closely on each cases to ensure satisfactory outcomes. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has also established itself as the go-to medical malpractice attorney in Houston, Texas. With this milestone and their anniversary behind them, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs remains focused on the future and commits to fighting for their clients and protecting their rights for years to come. The firm promises to continue grounding its results in its legal strategy, compassionate support, and mission—"Fighting Wrongs, Protecting Your Rights." For more information, visit Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs. Contact Info:Name: Tommy FibichEmail: tfibich@ Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & BriggsWebsite: To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs Hits $1 Billion in Client Recoveries as It Celebrates Its 33rd Anniversary
With this achievement, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs sets a new standard for results-driven legal advocacy. The Houston-based law firm cites strong performance across personal injury and medical malpractice litigation as the drivers of its success and lasting legacy. Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2025) - Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has officially crossed the $1 billion mark in client recoveries, including verdicts, settlements and legal cost savings. The firm is excited to celebrate this milestone, which has become part of its anniversary celebrations as it marks 33 years of legal excellence in Houston. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs Hits $1 Billion in Client Recoveries as It Celebrates Its 33rd Anniversary To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This landmark achievement reflects the firm's more than 30 years of tough, results-driven advocacy and signals its litigation strength, long-term growth, and leadership in Houston's legal community. The $1 billion in recoveries is not just a financial milestone; it represents the firm's years of securing justice for victims of serious accidents, corporate negligence, and medical malpractice. Moreover, the achievement and anniversary prove the firm's staying power, ability to scale without losing the personal attention every client deserves, and its place as one of the most trusted personal injury law firms in Houston, Texas. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has built its reputation by handling some of the most complex personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Texas. Since opening its doors in 1992, the firm has helped thousands of individuals and families recover after life-changing injuries, becoming a fixture in the Houston legal community. The firm combines legal skills with aggressive representation and compassion to fight for and protect the rights of its clients. Backed by more than 100 years of combined experience, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs is known for going all in on every case to secure the best outcomes for clients. The firm's Houston personal injury lawyers, who include multiple Board-Certified personal injury trial attorneys, are backed by a collaborative, client-first approach. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs' legacy also includes major recognitions for its leadership and litigation excellence. This includes being honored with prestigious awards such as the Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, which was given to founding attorney Tommy Fibich in 2019. But more than awards, stats, or the 3-decade run, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs' commitment to serving clients remains at the core of everything. As Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs celebrates surpassing $1 billion in client recoveries and its 33rd anniversary, the firm recognizes that its success is deeply intertwined with the strength of its relationships with clients. Over the past three decades, the firm has built a stellar team of Houston personal injury lawyers who cultivate relationships with clients and collaborate closely on each cases to ensure satisfactory outcomes. Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has also established itself as the go-to medical malpractice attorney in Houston, Texas. With this milestone and their anniversary behind them, Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs remains focused on the future and commits to fighting for their clients and protecting their rights for years to come. The firm promises to continue grounding its results in its legal strategy, compassionate support, and mission—"Fighting Wrongs, Protecting Your Rights." For more information, visit Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman who spent $10K on nose job woke up to find it looking ‘smashed'
A mother-of-four who spent $10,000 on a nose job said it was left looking 'smashed' and she struggled to breathe after the operation she had in the hope of resolving respiration problems. Ashley Caselli, now 37, had underwent a revision rhinoplasty, with Dr Lindsay Sturm in January 2021, but when she woke after around three hours she was left in a state of constant worry about her nose. The Iowa native told 'It just looked smashed. It doesn't look finished. It looks like I am missing a piece of my face. My nose doesn't even have a tip any more.' Once a social mother who loved taking pictures of herself with her children, Caselli is now consumed by fear whenever she leaves the house and is always photoshopping herself in family pictures. She also said her breathing is 'much worse', and that she wakes up several times every night with a dry mouth and has to pull up her nose when she runs to get air in. She said: 'It's just no way to live. It really hurts your self-confidence; it hurts your way of thinking whenever you do things and want to take pictures with your family. 'Every day, I look in the mirror and I am saddened by it, and when people look at me, I constantly wonder, are they looking at my nose?' Caselli is one of at least eight patients to have come forward in recent months alleging harm by Sturm, who ran a clinic in Iowa until February this year. The cosmetic surgeon and otolaryngologist - a specialist in ears, nose, throat, neck and head - has also been accused of causing the death of her patient Angela Kettwig in a lawsuit, although she denies the allegation. The lawsuit is pending. Others to come forward include Christine Heintz, who paid Sturm $20,000 for a 'mommy makeover' in November 2021, which included a breast reduction and lift, abdominoplasty and liposuction. Just after the surgery, she said that a 'giant hole' opened in Heintz's right breast going back to her ribcage, with doctors saying most of the breast had died and could not be saved. She underwent further reconstructive surgery in January 2023 which resulted in her losing most of her breasts. In another case, patient AJ Gomez-Han visited Sturm in 2024 for skin removal surgery to his thighs and arms. Afterward, he developed a bacterial infection that evolved into an open bleeding sore and required six weeks in the hospital to fix. Caselli has not filed a lawsuit, however, because the procedure happened too long ago for her to file a claim under Iowa law. The doctor's clinic Sturm Cosmetic Surgery abruptly closed on February 9, and said in an email that 'due to personal, emergent medical concerns, Dr Sturm is unavailable to provide ongoing care.' The Iowa Board of Medicine charged her with professional incompetence, including failure of a physician to exercise a degree of care ordinarily exercised by the average physician, in May 2025. Sturm opted not to contest the charges and has voluntarily surrendered her license, without admitting wrongdoing. She also filed for bankruptcy in June, according to local media reports. In Caselli's case, the mother and property manager went for her first nose job with a different surgeon in 2018 to open up her airways and resolve a long-term breathing issue. The initial procedure 'wasn't terrible,' she said, but she was still having trouble breathing out of one side of her nose and felt one side also appeared 'cuppier' than the other. This led her to contact Sturm, who said she would be able to help Caselli breathe better and have a more appealing nose. In a pre-op appointment, Caselli said Sturm told her that the previous surgeon had 'removed all the cartilage' from her nose, leaving it without proper support. (It is extremely unusual for surgeons to remove all the cartilage from a patient's nose). Sturm suggested extracting some cartilage from the top of Caselli's right ear and implanting it into her nose to help with the breathing issue, Caselli said. Caselli agreed, saying she was won over by the chance to be operated on by a female surgeon and Sturm's apparent personable and kind nature. Just before the surgery in 2021, the pair prayed together for a successful procedure and a good outcome. Caselli said after the surgery she had to wear a nose bandage and splint, a plastic device placed outside the nose after surgery to support its new shape, for about two weeks but, even with the swelling from surgery, became concerned about her nose every time she removed a bandage to wash it. 'I actually voiced my concerns because I did see some issues,' she said. 'One side of my nose that I wanted changed originally, that was still the same, and the side that was a little swollen didn't look right. 'I was also concerned because in the profile view of the side of my face, it looked different, the tip of my nose was missing, well, it didn't have a tip.' She said Sturm initially told her that the appearance could be linked to the swelling from surgery but then retorted that she shouldn't ask for a perfect nose because no one's nose is perfect. 'I was shocked by that,' Caselli said. 'I told her that I am not trying to achieve the perfect nose, I just want a functioning nose that looks nice and normal, but this doesn't. It looks normal it looks very messed up. 'She tried to make me feel bad for that.' Caselli also said that at one point a hole opened up in the middle of her nose after a suture came loose following the surgery. During the procedure, Sturm was also meant to perform liposuction on the bottom of Caselli's chin, but Caselli said that this wasn't done properly, with the area she wanted removed 'still there' when she woke up from surgery. Social: Caselli said after the procedure her nose is a constant worry for her, and she edited these these images to obscure its appearance Sturm offered to do a fat transfer to Caselli's nose after the surgery, Caselli said, but she refused, and says she's now seeking help from a new surgeon. Caselli also claimed that her breathing is now 'much worse' than before, and she has to breathe through her mouth most of the time. She said she holds up the end of her nose sometimes when she runs to get air in and is also waking up throughout the night, suffering from a dry mouth and breathing issues. 'I hope revealing this helps people,' she said. 'The irony here is that she was an expert and she still messed up my nose. Everyone should know the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. 'I am lucky, but unlucky, people go through worse things, terrible things, but they can cover their bodies. For me, I can't cover my face.'
