A jury trial for a $10 million medical malpractice lawsuit against a Sevierville physician under way.
The Mountain Press, February 8, 2006
Written by Craig Minlz
The suit alleges that in February 2000, Dr. Ammar Razzak failed to treat Gatlinburg resident Rick Orr with the required standard of medical care, resulting in a stroke a year later that left Orr partially brain dead. The lawsuit was filed in February 2002 by Orr's mother, Suzanne Orr.
According to attorneys for both parties, Rick Orr, 42, was transported to Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center in 2000 after collapsing in his bathroom. He was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed by Razzak as having had new onset seizure.
Razzak examined and released Orr and advised him to see his primary care physician, which lawyers say Orr didn't do. A year later, he suffered a massive stroke when a tumor in his heart broke, and part of it went to his brain.
In his opening statement, Orr's attorney, Jeffrey Rosenblum, alleged the tumor was there when Orr had the first episode and that Razzak did not order the proper tests that would have detected it.
"The doctor missed the tumor and sent him home, leading him to believe that he was OK..." Rosenblum said. "Dr. Razzak missed all of the clues. ... He deviated from the standard of care in many, many ways."
Razzak's attorney, however, said Razzak followed procedure and even offered to see Orr for follow-up at his office, but Orr failed to follow up with anyone.
"We believe the fault lies with Mr. Orr for failing to follow up," he said.
Razzak, certified in internal medicine, finished a term as chief of staff for Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center in December.
The case, with Circuit Court Judge Duane Slone presiding, may take a couple of weeks to complete, according to court officials.
©The Mountain Press 2006