Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

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Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson

Transcript of Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Page 1: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Jeff Vaughnv.

Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and

Dr. Wayne Tuckson

Page 2: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Dr. Tuckson cut out Jeff’s “Benign”46 year old colon •Jeff’s rectal bleeding in September 01 had been caused by

hemorrhoids PROVEN FACTS

•FAP = death from cancer unless colon is cut out

•Jeff did not have FAP and Dr. Tuckson’s documents did not support FAP

•Jan 30, 2002 = sole office visit with Dr. Tuckson before surgery

•March 19, 2002 = Dr. Tuckson cut out colon with “presumed” diagnosis -Discharge Summary (Ex. 28)

-Dr. Tuckson’s April 17, 2002 letter (Ex. 29)

Page 3: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Credibility

3 Key Facts the Defense Fought with Fiction

●FAP Misdiagnosis – was Jeff misdiagnosed with FAP?

●Hemorrhoids – did they cause Jeff’s rectal bleeding?

●Litigation Fear – is this why Jeff not told he had AFAP?

Page 4: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Dr. Tuckson cut based on hearsay from patient Jeff•Dr. Tuckson cut with Jeff’s statement and 4 documents

Dr. Tuckson had 4 reports - that identified a total of 2 polyps:

•Standard of Care:

Jeff’s statement alone is NOT an acceptable way for Dr. Tuckson to confirm FAP diagnosis.

1. EGD Path Report – not consistent with FAP

2. EGD Report – not consistent with FAP

3. Colonoscopy Path Report – unclear at best

4. Colonoscopy Report – not consistent with FAP

January 31, 2002 Office Visit: - Jeff said Dr. Haider said Jeff had:

•“familial polyposis” •more than 100 polyps

Page 5: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Sept 21, 2001 to Jan 30, 2002 March 19, 2002 to Jan 20, 2004

______________ ______________

(45 + Days)

Dr. TucksonChart

4 reports,1 letter,

andJeff says FP

____0

Dr. Tuckson●Scopes,

●DNA Tests,

●to collect

documentsdiagnosing

FAP

HealthSouth Surgery Chart

☻Photos b4 litigation?

Dr. Kashif Haider Chart

☻ Includes Dr. Lee’s Path

☻ Includes Hardin CT Scan

Hardin Hospital Chart

☻ Includes Dr. Lee’s UK Path

Dr. Tuckson Chart

Surgery Report

2 Office Visits

●No mention of AFAP

Jewish Hospital Chart

●No mention of AFAP

Mayo Clinic – 1/20/04

●Jeff’s lawyer gets DNA tested

Documents - FAP Misdiagnosis/Surgery

(4 + months) (1 year and 10 months)

Page 6: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

1. EGD Path = Inconsistent with FAP•1/22/02 Pathology Report faxed to Dr. Tuckson on Jan 30th

Infectious Organisms Not Seen

Stain for Bacteria Negative

Heartburn

• Fax received at 10:01p.m.

Page 7: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

2. EGD = Heartburn, not FAP•1/22/02 Operative Report faxed to Dr. Tuckson on Jan 30th

Before Scope Diagnosis1. Persistent heartburn2. Possible familial polyposis

After Scope Diagnosis1. Heartburnnot familial polyposis

• Fax received at 1:23p.m.

Page 8: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

3. Colonoscopy Path = Unclear at Best•10/12/01 Pathology Report faxed to Dr. Tuckson on Jan 30th

Low to High Grade Dysplasia?•Either low or high•not both

Moderate to Severe Dysplasia?•no more “moderate”•Either low or high

• Fax received at 1:23p.m.

1 documented polyp

Page 9: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

4. Colonoscopy Report = Inconsistent with FAP•10/11/01 Report faxed to Dr. Tuckson on Jan 30th

Before Scope Diagnosis1. Rectal Bleeding

After Scope Diagnosis1. Hemorrhoids 2. Colon Polyp x 2

• Fax received at 1:23p.m.

Page 10: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Dr. Tuckson never told Dr. Haider the surgery date

Red Flags

•Index Case = no familyHistory

•Polyps Not Evenly Distributed

•Low to High = Severe?

Page 11: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Jeff’s did not have a deadly disease, he had Hemmorhoids

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Page 12: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Dr. Tuckson’s Fault

•Dr. Tuckson failed to exercise reasonable care in treating Jeff because he failed to confirm the diagnosis before cutting.

•Dr. Tuckson was required by standard of care to confirm diagnosis:

(1) Contact Dr. Haider

(2) Order DNA testing

(3) Take a look himself

Dr. Rex.GIIU

Dr. SussmanSurgical Oncologist

UC

Page 13: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

(1) Contact Dr. Haider - what would a have revealed?

Dr. Lee had argued “no way” Jeff had FAP in early Jan 02 – p. 21

Dr. Haider said Jeff had less than 100 polyps and no history – p. 39

_______________________

____________________________________________

Polyposis not on Lee’s mind

p. 45

Page 14: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

(2) DNA Testing - what would a “Mayo” test have shown?

A mutation was NOT detected

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Page 15: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

(3) Look Inside Colon First – what would Dr. T have seen?

No adenoma or carcinoma Benign segment of colon

Benign segment of colon

Page 16: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Dr. Haider’s Fault

•What have the Defendants proven as to Dr. Haider’s fault?

Page 17: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

$1 million award - effect of 50/50 split100 % Fault Pie

Tuckson 50% Haider 50%

Apportionment of Fault and Jeff’s Damages•Example of effect of “apportionment” on damages awarded

Defendants Pay

Total Damages $1,000,000Dr. T Fault x 50%Dr. T Owes Jeff $500,000

Verdict Reduced •$1,000,000 total damages award reduced by $500,000for Dr. H 50% share of fault

•Jeff collects $500,000 from $1,000,000 awarded in this 50/50 example.

Page 18: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

THIS CASE IS ABOUT AFAP

About Defendants•A =

•F =

•A =

•P =

Faulting

Another

Person = Dr. Haider

Page 19: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

THIS CASE IS ABOUT AFAP

About Defendants•A =

•F =

•A =

•P =

Fabricating

A

Polyposis = AFAP

Page 20: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Attenuated FAP = Defense born by law suit•Dr. Tuckson never mentioned it but now says Jeff had “A”FAP

Time Line - Jeff not told he had “A”FAP at:

•Jan 30, 2002 - Office Visit with Dr. Tuckson

•March 19, 2002 - Surgery with Dr. Tuckson

•April 17, 2002 - Office Visit with Dr. Tuckson

•July 3, 2002 Office - Visit with Dr. Tuckson

•No mention of “A”FAP in medical records

•July 15, 2003 Dr. Tuckson Deposition Jeff hears “A”FAP a year after his last Office Visit

Page 21: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

FAP and AFAP – very rare and even rarer

Entire Population = 100% Colon cancer = 5%

FAP = < 1% of 5%

AFAP = 2% of < 1% of 5%

AFAP with Desmoids = 3% of 2% of < 1% of 5%.

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Page 22: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

What does the Mayo Clinic say about AFAP?

None of the listed mutations were detected

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Page 23: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

•Fundic Gland polyps are nearly always associated with AFAP and may precedethe development of colorectal polyps.

•AFAP article, p. 130, January 2002 Dr. Church did not mention of “controversy” in commentary

•Jeff did NOT have Fundic Gland PolypsUndisputed Fact per EGD

What does Dr. Church’s article say about AFAP?

Page 24: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

•In addition, screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy the recommended modality for FAP, is inadequate, because the majority of colonic lesions in patients with AFAP are right sided.

•AFAP article, p. 130 January 2002 Left sided Polyps and AFAP not discussed in Dr. Church’s commentary

What else does the article say about AFAP?

•Jeff had left sided polyps

Page 25: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Jeff had 3 Small Low Grade Adenomas •3 ant size adenomas do not equal AFAP

1. Colonoscopy – 2 polyps •10/11/01 Dr. H rectum scope

Dr. Fenoglio-Preiser•2 low grade

ant-size adenomas

Specimen to Pathology•1 piece of tan tissue

(.6 x .02 x .02 cm)

Specimen to Pathology•6 tan fragments

(2.0 mm each)

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Dr. Fenoglio-Preiser

•1 low gradeant-size adenoma

2. Flex Sig - 4 polyps •11/5/01 Dr. H rectum scope

3. Colon Removal •3/19/02 Dr. T surgery

Specimen to Pathology•Jeff’s Colon

3 feet approximately

Dr. Fenoglio-Preiser0 adenomas

Jewish PathologyBenign ColonNo adenomas

No carcinomas

_________________________________________________________

= COMMON

= COMMON

Page 26: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

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DNA testing is powerful tool to be used to confirmdiagnosis in an atypical patient like Jeff

__________Hardin Memorial Request for 2nd Pathology Opinion from Dr. Lee

Dr. Church Primer, Chapter 9, Page 71

Page 27: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Jeff’s damages – the unnecessary surgery

Page 28: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

Jeff’s pain and suffering since surgery

10 Bowel Movements a Day

X 365 Days in a Year

X 28 Years of Life Expectancy

102,200 Bowel Movements Left

• Jeff Can Not Eat Normally

• Jeff Wakes Up In Pain Every Day

• Jeff Can Not Control His Gas

• Jeff Has “Accidents”

• Jeff Carries A Diaper Bag

• Jeff Defecates Over A Dozen Times Per Day

•Jeff Has To Work More Hours To Do His Job

Page 29: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

•Dr. Lynch says a “gross” deviationfrom a minimally acceptable standard of care has turned

Jeff into a bowel cripple

Page 30: Jeff Vaughn v. Kentuckiana Colon & Rectal Surgery and Dr. Wayne Tuckson.

•Dr. Tuckson operated the scapelwhich, according to him, was

the “Truck In This Case”