Multiple Cases Brought Against Reno OBGYN Accused of Medical Abuse

A news report states that Samuel Chacon, a physician who practiced in the Reno area, has had his license suspended by the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners. Mr. Chacon has faced multiple medical malpractice complaints and was arrested in an unrelated incident last year. Court documents reveal that he has four active medical cases under investigation against him. He is accused of performing unnecessary surgeries, botched operations, and abusive practices.

Reno OBGYN Accused of Medical Abuse

The license of Dr. Samuel Chacon, a gynecologist affiliated with the Women’s Health Center of Reno since 2003, has been suspended by the Board of Medical Examiners for Nevada. The suspension is due to Dr. Chacon’s involvement in a 2022 undercover sex sting, where he was one of 27 individuals arrested. Dr. Chacon voluntarily gave up his hospital privileges a month after his arrest. In addition to this, Dr. Chacon is accused of abusing his patients and endangering them, committing medical malpractice. Victims of Dr. Chacon’s actions are encouraged to submit a response to the FBI in an effort to support the investigation into his behavior.

In addition to the above acts, Dr. Chacon failed to refer a high-risk twin pregnancy patient to a specialist. Instead, he advised her to go to the Renown emergency room, which resulted in her going into labor. The initial report from the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners found that Dr. Chacon’s decision put the patient and her twins in grave danger, as she was not induced as advised by a high-risk pregnancy specialist. Dr. Chacon is accused of failing to make proper recommendations for the patient’s care, as well as failing to refer her to the appropriate caregiver.

Despite his license suspension, Dr. Chacon is accused of continuing care for his existing patients, rather than taking appropriate steps to refer their care elsewhere as he is no longer legally permitted to provide prenatal care.

What Happens When an OBGYN Provides Insufficient Medical Care?

When an OBGYN fails to provide proper medical care, patients may suffer dire consequences. Misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, surgical errors, and birth injuries are among the potential outcomes. Such failures can result in maternal complications, jeopardizing the health and well-being of both mother and baby. Long-term health issues, emotional trauma, and even fatalities can occur. Legal ramifications often follow, including malpractice lawsuits and disciplinary actions by medical boards. These not only impact the doctor’s license and reputation but also highlight the importance of stringent standards in obstetric and gynecological care to safeguard the lives and health of patients.

Overview of Nevada Medical Malpractice Laws

Medical malpractice claims are not simple. Just proving that you suffered from a negative health outcome after seeking medical care is not enough to file a successful medical malpractice claim in Las Vegas. It’s important to understand some key things about medical malpractice liability in Nevada:

A Doctor-Patient Relationship Must Exist

To file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Nevada, the first step is to establish a formal doctor-patient relationship. If there isn’t a pre-existing and formalized relationship between a patient and a healthcare provider, the patient cannot claim malpractice against the doctor. For instance, if a patient overhears a doctor’s advice at a party, that does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. To bring a medical malpractice claim in Nevada, the plaintiff must prove that he or she received treatment from the doctor or healthcare professional, and this treatment established a formal relationship between them.

A Breach of the Standard of Care

After a doctor and patient have established a relationship, it is the patient’s responsibility, as the plaintiff in a legal case, to demonstrate that the doctor violated the accepted standard of care. The standard of care is the set of generally accepted practices and procedures that other professionals in the same field would deem appropriate under similar circumstances. Even communication breakdowns lead to medical errors. However, simply proving that the doctor violated this standard is not enough. The plaintiff must also show that this violation directly caused harm.

An Affidavit of Merit

In Nevada, medical malpractice claims are taken seriously and require an Affidavit of Merit before proceeding with a lawsuit. This document is prepared by a medical expert who asserts that the case has merit. The expert confirms that the healthcare professional in question deviated from the standard of care in his or her professional opinion. The criteria were established by Nevada laws to discourage frivolous lawsuits and ensure that valid malpractice cases are considered in court.

Caps for Non-Economic Damages, No Caps for Economic Damages

Nevada has provisions in its malpractice laws that deal with recoverable damages in a lawsuit. Economic damages, such as medical bills or lost wages, do not have a limit. The plaintiff can receive any amount proven in court. On the other hand, non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other subjective injuries, have been limited to $350,000 for a long time. However, a new law passed in 2023, will allow this cap to increase to $750,000 over the next five years.

If you have suffered injuries, it is advisable to consult with a Las Vegas medical malpractice lawyer who can advise you on when you should file a lawsuit for insufficient prenatal care.

Damages Available for Medical Malpractice Victims

Medical injuries can have long-lasting effects such as scars, unnecessary surgeries, and time away from work and loved ones. In such cases, a medical malpractice lawsuit can help the victim recover compensation through a claim for damages. Damages may include out-of-pocket expenses and other losses caused by the medical error. If you have questions about damages in your medical malpractice claim and would like to know your options, seek advice from an experienced medical malpractice lawyer.

What Are Damages?

Damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit are the losses the injured party suffers. In a lawsuit, damages are meant to compensate the victim for all financial and non-financial losses. Although no money can fully repair the damage, financial damages are the best way to compensate the victim after a medical error.

Types of Medical Malpractice Damages

In a medical malpractice case, the injured typically claims compensatory damages, although other damages may also be available.

Not all malpractice claims will include every type of loss. Your medical malpractice lawyer can calculate all possible damages, while the judge and jury decide on the award amount.

Economic Damages After a Medical Injury

Economic damages, also known as special damages, refer to quantifiable losses caused by medical injuries.

Medical Expenses

If someone suffers a medical injury, he or she has the right to receive compensation to cover the costs of medical care arising from that injury. This includes hospital bills, ambulance fees, in-home care, medication, and medical devices.

Furthermore, medical expenses also include future care the patient requires due to the injury. For instance, if a birth injury resulted from inappropriate delivery techniques, the patient’s family may need to pay for medical expenses for the child’s entire life. A medical witness can provide an estimate of the range of costs for future medical care that the negligent doctors should be held liable for.

Lost Wages

An injury resulting from medical malpractice may render you unable to work for days, weeks, or even cause a permanent disability. If you cannot work due to the injury, your lost wages can be included in the damages claim. Lost wages may consist of loss of income from not working and ongoing loss of income.

The loss of earning potential covers the loss of economic opportunities that the injury victim could have received had he or she not been permanently injured due to the doctor’s negligence. This is based on the range of wages and benefits the injury victim would have likely received had it not been for the injury.

Non-Economic Damages in a Malpractice Claim

Some injuries do not have a clear-cut economic value. For instance, if a doctor mistakenly amputated your leg, it’s difficult to estimate the non-economic damages you’ve suffered because no amount of money can replace your lost leg.

Losing a leg can cause pain, mobility issues, and difficulty caring for your loved ones. If you were an active person, you may no longer enjoy the same activities you once did, which can affect your quality of life. Additionally, a severe medical injury can impact your intimate relationship with your partner.

The term non-economic damages refers to losses that aren’t easily quantifiable in terms of money. This includes compensation for pain, suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of consortium, which is the loss of benefits of a family relationship.

Chronic injuries can cause a lifetime of pain and suffering, and can also prevent someone from engaging in their regular daily activities. The amount of non-economic damages awarded in a malpractice case depends on various factors, including the extent of the injury or disability, and the estimated lifespan of the victim.