Hundreds File Lawsuit Against Chesapeake Medical Center for Negligence

More than 500 women have initiated legal action against the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and its senior executives, alleging negligence and malpractice. The plaintiffs claim that for nearly a decade, Dr. Javaid Perwaiz, a former gynecologist employed by the hospital, performed unnecessary surgeries, including C-sections and sterilizations, often without proper consent. Each plaintiff is seeking $10 million in damages.

The lawsuit identifies 510 plaintiffs, many of whom are Black women covered by Medicaid, the government health program for low-income individuals. The allegations detail how Dr. Perwaiz allegedly coerced patients into undergoing surgeries under duress or without their knowledge, resulting in significant physical and emotional harm. Federal investigations revealed that he falsified medical records and manipulated patient consent forms.

Dr. Perwaiz is currently serving a 59-year prison sentence for Medicaid fraud linked to these unnecessary procedures. His medical license expired in 2020, but the impact of his actions continues to reverberate through the community.

Details of the Lawsuit and Hospital Response

The lawsuit, filed on March 5, 2024, also names three senior executives of the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center: James Reese Jackson, the current president and CEO, along with his predecessors Peter Francis Bastone and Wynn Lawton Dixon Jr.. The plaintiffs accuse the executives of failing to act on numerous reports of misconduct related to Dr. Perwaiz, despite clear indications of abuse.

In response to inquiries, both Dixon and Bastone claimed ignorance regarding any misconduct by Dr. Perwaiz. Dixon stated, “I have no recollection of what you’re talking about,” while Bastone emphasized that he received no complaints during his tenure. The executives maintained that oversight of medical staff was not their responsibility, further distancing themselves from the allegations.

The hospital is also facing serious criminal charges related to health care fraud. A conviction could jeopardize its ability to participate in future government health programs, potentially leading to its closure. Hospital officials have labeled the indictment an “unjust and meritless overreach” by federal authorities.

Patient Experiences and Investigations

Many plaintiffs have shared harrowing experiences that underline the severity of the allegations against Dr. Perwaiz. One of the plaintiffs, Dracena Holloway, a 42-year-old mother of seven, began seeing Dr. Perwaiz in 2002. She described a pattern of manipulation, claiming that he induced labor four times, resulting in all her newborns requiring intensive care. In 2011, he performed a C-section and a tubal ligation without her consent, leading to ongoing physical pain and chronic health issues.

The lawsuit asserts that hospital staff had raised concerns about Dr. Perwaiz’s practices multiple times over the years, yet his hospital privileges were continuously renewed. The allegations indicate a culture of negligence within the hospital, where warnings about Dr. Perwaiz were ignored in favor of financial gain.

From 2010 to 2019 alone, Dr. Perwaiz’s Medicaid billings exceeded $18 million. Attorney Victoria Wickman, representing the plaintiffs, criticized the hospital’s leadership for their indifference, stating, “There were not only red flags, they were sirens being alarmed, and the hospital completely turned a blind eye.”

Concerns regarding Dr. Perwaiz’s practices were raised as early as the 1990s when a local obstetrician warned the state medical board about his performance of unnecessary surgeries. Despite these warnings, the hospital continued to support him, illustrating a troubling pattern of negligence.

The Chesapeake Regional Medical Center has not publicly responded to specific allegations regarding the altered consent forms or the coercion of patients. However, the lawsuit claims that many patients began experiencing complications as a result of unnecessary procedures, with some even requiring neonatal care for their babies.

As the case unfolds, the repercussions of Dr. Perwaiz’s actions and the hospital’s alleged complicity will likely draw increased scrutiny from both the public and health regulatory bodies. The outcome of this lawsuit could set significant precedents for medical accountability and the treatment of vulnerable patients within the healthcare system.