Pennsylvania Department of Health, Other State Agencies Fail in Gosnell Case

Charges, including eight counts of murder, were filed against Dr. Kermit Gosnell yesterday after an almost yearlong investigation of his West Philadelphia clinic.  In addition to Gosnell, his wife and eight employees have also been arrested and charged with various crimes.

District Attorney Seth Williams said the clinic should have been shut down decades ago amid complaints about Gosnell’s practice and 46 lawsuits filed against him, but state regulators ignored those claims making just five annual inspections to the clinic since it opened in 1979.  There have been no inspections made at the clinic since 1993.

No criminal charges are expected to be filed against health officials despite what prosecutors call a "complete regulatory collapse," partly because the amount of time that has passed.  Still, Williams accused state health officials of “utter disregard” for the health and safety of the women who were Dr. Gosnell’s patients.  A spokesman for newly inaugurated Gov. Tom Corbett said the state would do more to ensure regulators properly do their jobs to keep the citizens of Pennsylvania safe in the future.
 
Messa & Associates is exceptionally skilled in handling medical malpractice matters.  Our attorneys have obtained seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements resulting from malpractice cases.  If you or a loved suffered serious injuries or death as a result of treatment under Dr. Gosnell’s care, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.