Neurosurgeon Daniel Elskens, MD, former employee of Sandusky, Ohio-based Firelands Physician Group, is facing a wrongful death lawsuit, the Sandusky Register reported Oct. 29.
The suit alleges Dr. Elskens caused the death of patient Peggy Newman during an Oct, 8, 2020, surgery. The suit, filed by the administrator of Ms. Newman's estate, claims Dr. Elskens severed Ms. Newman's abdominal aorta during a lateral anterior interbody fusion, causing her to bleed out. The plaintiff is seeking a judgment in excess of $25,000 in damages.
The suit also names Firelands Physician Group, North Coast Professional Company, Firelands Regional Medical Center and Firelands Regional Health System as co-defendants.
Firelands Regional Health System and Firelands Regional Medical Center denied every allegation in the complaint, according to the report. An attorney for Dr. Elskens, Firelands Physician Group and North Coast Professional Company has asked that the suit be dismissed.
Dr. Elskens was also recently named in a lawsuit that alleged he and another neurosurgeon performed unnecessary procedures and defrauded federal insurance programs while practicing at Walla Walla, Wash.-based Providence St. Mary's.
In June, Dr. Elskens closed his practice at Firelands Regional Medical Center to return to his home state of Michigan.