Former Cincinnati-based spine surgeon Atiq Durrani, MD, fled to Pakistan in 2013 after he was charged with performing unnecessary surgeries on more than 500 patients, local NBC affiliate WLWT5 reports.
Just 40 of the 500 civil cases filed against Dr. Durrani have gone to trial. Now, due to COVID-19, the remaining patients will have to wait until at least August to have their day in court.
Attorneys representing the patients told WLWT5 that 60 patients have died waiting for their cases to be heard. The court is now considering a motion to consolidate the cases.
Dr. Durrani, who practiced at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and West Chester Hospital, was also charged with fraudulently charging Medicare millions of dollars and indicted on federal charges related to clinical and billing issues.
He has granted depositions from Pakistan and denies any wrongdoing.