Injured Worker Sues for Fusions at Pacific Hospital

By Greg JonesWestern Bureau ChiefA Southern California woman who underwent spinal fusion surgery at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach accuses the hospital, its former owner Michael D. Drobot, and her surgeon for negligence and medical battery.Candice Lee Smith alleges in a complaint filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on March 21 that Dr. David H. Payne, induced by a financial kickback agreement with Drobot, performed a potentially unnecessary procedure using potentially defective hardware. She says complications from the procedure caused physical and emotional pain and suffering.Payne deni...