Medical Malpractice Cases

Dr. SANDRA P VELLA, MD Medical Malpractice Cases, Lawsuits, and Complaints

Add Your Comments
Phycicians Practice Address
Dr. SANDRA P VELLA, MD
2140 W 68th Street
US

Court Case #

Indemnity Paid: $700,000.00

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Medical Malpractice Closed Claims Report

 
Department File Number : M201678823
Claim Number : 2014-12321 CA 11
Date Submitted : 6/24/2016
 
Insurer Information
 
Insurer Name Coverage Type
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY Primary
Insurer FEIN Professional License Number
36-2114545  
Insurer Contact Information
Type First Name MI Last Name
Individual Sandra P Vella
Street Address
20044 Back Nine Drive
City State Zip
Boca Raton FL 33498
Phone Ext Fax E-Mail Address
(561) 531 - 2573     sandravella@hotmail.com
 
Insured Information
 
TypeFirst NameMILast Name
IndividualSandraPVella
Insurer TypeStreet Address of Practice
Licensed2140 W 68th Street
CityStateZip CodeCounty
HialeahFL33016Dade
Policy NumberPer Claim Policy LimitsAggregate Policy Limits
1040025509-6$1,000,000$3,000,000
Profession or BusinessOther Profession or Business
Medical Doctor 
License NumberSpecialty Code & ClassificationCertification Number
ME98768Pathology - No Surgery 

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Medical Malpractice Closed Claims Report


 
 
Injured Person Information
 
First NameMILast NameDate of Birth
    
Street AddressGenderCounty where Injury Occurred
 MDade
CityStateZip Code
   
Location where injury occuredOther location where injury occured
Hospital Outpatient Facility 
Name of InstitutionCode
PALMETTO SURGERY CENTER, THE14960330
Location of Institutional InjuryOther Location of Institutional Injury
OtherDigestive Medicine Associates/Lab
Date of OccurrenceDate Reported to Insurer
10/27/20107/8/2013
 
Diagnostic Information
 
Final Diagnosis For Which Treatment Was Sought Including Patient's Actual Condition
xx
Operation, Diagnostic, Or Treatment Procedure Rendered Causing The Injury
xx
Diagnostic Code : 
Misdiagnosis Made, If Any, Of Patient's Actual Condition
I rendered pathologic interpretations of GE (gastroesophageal) biopsies submitted by a gastroenterologist in October 2010. A 0.5cm nodule was noted on requisition form. I reported atypical glandular findings and Barrett's Esophagus (BE). BE is a precancer lesion with intestinal metaplasia/goblet cells at GE junction. Dysplasia (advanced precancer) and cancer were also evaluated using objective criteria. The comments stated that the findings were "worrisome for low grade dysplasia" and to "please advise patient" and that tissue would be sent out to do immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for further evaluation (p53, p16, Ki67), addendum to follow. The lab's medical director, Dr. Hector Colom, MD reviewed the case and concurred. The report was signed out to gastroenterologist's computer. All three IHC stains were negative for high grade dysplasia or cancer. The medical director reviewed entire case again and concurred. An issued addendum report stated that IHC stains "favor a low grade dysplasia." In July 2013, I received a letter of intent for litigation. The slides were sent to the leading gastrointestinal (GI) pathologist who concluded that I met the standard of care. A leading community gastroenterologist (and gastroenterology practice guidelines) strongly recommend that any dysplasia in BE with a nodule should be excised by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Tissue is then examined by pathology for staging of the lesion. Studies show 94% cure rate by EMR. Patient had no treatment procedures or rebiopsies. He was given pepcid and a 2 year follow-up appointment, which he did not attend. Gastroenterologist had no medical malpractice insurance. Plaintiff's pathologists felt that diagnosis was to be high grade dysplasia. A second leading GI pathologist and a leading general pathologist concluded that I met the standard of care and that there was no cancer on slides. Settlement was reached before trial.
Principal Injury Giving Rise To The Claim
xx
Severity Of Injury
Permanent: Death.

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Medical Malpractice Closed Claims Report

 

Legal Information
 
Date of SuitCircuit Court Case Number
 *NR
County Suit Filed inDate of Final Disposition
*NR3/9/2016
Other Defendants Involved in this Claim
Padilla MD, Victor
Colom MD, Hector
Ramirez MD, Manuel
Digestive Medicine Associates
Palmetto Surgery Center
MCCI Group Holdings
Digestive Histology Lab
Stage of Legal System at which Settlement was Reached or Award Made
More than 90 days, after suit filed and prior to or during the course of mandatory settlement conference.
Final Method of Claim Disposition
Settled by parties
Court DecisionOther
No Court Proceedings. 
Arbitration
Claim not subject to Arbitration.
Date of Payment
4/1/2016
 
Financial Information
 
Was there a settlement Resulting in payment to the Plaintiff?Yes
Indemnity Paid by Insurer on behalf of Insured$700,000
Loss Adjust Expense Paid to Defense Counsel$0
All Other Loss Adjustment Expense Paid$0
Injured Person's Total Non-Economic Loss$0
Deductible$0
Injured Person's Total Economic Loss
 Incurred to DateAnticipated
Medical Expense$0$0
Wage Loss$0$0
Other Expenses$0$0
Safety Management Steps Taken by Insured to Make Similar Occurrence Less Likely
None.
 
Updates
 
No updates found.

 

 

*NR: Prior to 04/28/1999 this field was not required in submitted claims.

This page is not displaying certain sensitive information.

Court Case # 2014-12321-CA-11

Indemnity Paid: $700,000.00

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Medical Malpractice Closed Claims Report

 
Department File Number : M201679088
Claim Number : 2682
Date Submitted : 7/15/2016
 
Insurer Information
 
Insurer Name Coverage Type
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY Primary
Insurer FEIN Professional License Number
36-2114545  
Insurer Contact Information
Type First Name MI Last Name
Individual Julie   Hamilton
Street Address
615 Crescent Executive Court, Suite 212
City State Zip
Lake Mary FL 32746
Phone Ext Fax E-Mail Address
(321) 972 - 0121     juliehamilton@hamlinandburton.com
 
Insured Information
 
TypeFirst NameMILast Name
IndividualSandraPVella
Insurer TypeStreet Address of Practice
Licensed20044 Back Nine Drive
CityStateZip CodeCounty
Boca RatonFL33498Palm Beach
Policy NumberPer Claim Policy LimitsAggregate Policy Limits
HAZ1040025509-C$1,000,000$3,000,000
Profession or BusinessOther Profession or Business
Medical Doctor 
License NumberSpecialty Code & ClassificationCertification Number
ME98768Pathology - No Surgery 

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Medical Malpractice Closed Claims Report


 
 
Injured Person Information
 
First NameMILast NameDate of Birth
    
Street AddressGenderCounty where Injury Occurred
 MDade
CityStateZip Code
   
Location where injury occuredOther location where injury occured
Other LocationHistology lab
Name of InstitutionCode
  
Location of Institutional InjuryOther Location of Institutional Injury
OtherHistology lab
Date of OccurrenceDate Reported to Insurer
10/27/20109/6/2013
 
Diagnostic Information
 
Final Diagnosis For Which Treatment Was Sought Including Patient's Actual Condition
High grade dysplasia with features of carcinoma in situ.
Operation, Diagnostic, Or Treatment Procedure Rendered Causing The Injury
Dr. Vella reviewed the pathology specimens and reported features favoring low grade dysplasia. It was alleged the biopsy should have been interpreted as high grade dysplasia with features of carcinoma in situ. This would have led to further treatment and highly increased chance of survival.
Diagnostic Code :530.85
Misdiagnosis Made, If Any, Of Patient's Actual Condition
Delay in diagnosis of esophageal cancer. Dr. Vella reviewed the pathology specimens and reported features favoring low grade dysplasia. It was alleged the biopsy should have been interpreted as high grade dysplasia with features of carcinoma in situ.
Principal Injury Giving Rise To The Claim
Patient underwent endoscopy with biopsy of a .5cm nodule in the GE junction and of the stomach. Specimens were sent to an outside pathology lab.
Severity Of Injury
Permanent: Death.

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Medical Malpractice Closed Claims Report

 

Legal Information
 
Date of SuitCircuit Court Case Number
10/13/20142014-12321-CA-11
County Suit Filed inDate of Final Disposition
Dade3/9/2016
Other Defendants Involved in this Claim
Colom, Hector
Padilla, Victor M
Ramirez, Manuel A
Digestive Medicine Histology Lab, LLC
Digestive Medicine Associates, LLP
Palmetto Surgery Center
MCCI Medical Group
Medical Care Consortium Inc.
Victor M. Padilla, III, M.D., P.A.
Manual A. Ramirez, M.D., P.A.
Hector I. Colom, M.D., P.A.
Digestive Medicine Associates
Stage of Legal System at which Settlement was Reached or Award Made
More than 90 days, after suit filed and prior to or during the course of mandatory settlement conference.
Final Method of Claim Disposition
Settled by parties
Court DecisionOther
No Court Proceedings. 
Arbitration
Claim not subject to Arbitration.
Date of Payment
4/5/2016
 
Financial Information
 
Was there a settlement Resulting in payment to the Plaintiff?Yes
Indemnity Paid by Insurer on behalf of Insured$700,000
Loss Adjust Expense Paid to Defense Counsel$171,060
All Other Loss Adjustment Expense Paid$28,050
Injured Person's Total Non-Economic Loss$0
Deductible$0
Injured Person's Total Economic Loss
 Incurred to DateAnticipated
Medical Expense$0$0
Wage Loss$0$0
Other Expenses$0$0
Safety Management Steps Taken by Insured to Make Similar Occurrence Less Likely
None.
 
Updates
 
No updates found.

 

 

This page is not displaying certain sensitive information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dr. SANDRA P VELLA, MD have any medical malpractice cases, lawsuits, or complaints?

Dr. SANDRA P VELLA, MD has at least 2 medical malpractice case(s), lawsuit(s), or complaint(s).

AlachuaBakerBayBradfordBrevardBrowardCalhounCharlotteCitrusClayCollierColumbiaDadeDesotoDixieDuvalEscambiaFlaglerFranklinGadsdenHamiltonHardeeHendryHernandoHighlandsHillsboroughIndian RiverJacksonLakeLeeLeonLevyMadisonManateeMarionMartinMonroeNassauOkaloosaOkeechobeeOrangeOsceolaOut of statePalm BeachPascoPinellasPolkPutnamSanta RosaSarasotaSeminoleSt. JohnsSt. LucieSumterSuwanneeTaylorVolusiaWalton