In November 2014, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan surgeon Aria Sabit was arrested for allegedly defrauding federal and private health insurance programs by billing them for spinal surgeries he either did not perform or that were medically unnecessary. As the criminal case against him moves forward, Sommers Schwartz attorneys Richard Groffsky, Robert Sickels, and Jay Yasso are proceeding with medical malpractice lawsuits filed on behalf of ten patients claiming to have been injured by Dr. Sabit’s illicit activities.
Specifically, the complaints allege Sabit either misled the plaintiffs into thinking he had performed lumbar spinal fusions when in fact he did not, or that he negligently recommended or performed their neurosurgical procedures, causing injuries and hardship or making the plaintiffs’ existing injuries worse.
As reported in the Detroit News, WDIV television, and other local and national news outlets, federal authorities say that Sabit performed 200 unnecessary back surgeries on elderly patients in California resulting in infections and at least one death. In 2011, he moved to Southfield, Michigan, where it is claimed he continued his practice, using various businesses and medical practices such as Michigan Brain & Spine Physicians Group to perpetuate the alleged fraud.
Further details of the federal charges published in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) indicate that Sabit billed Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan a total of $32.8 million for the surgeries, generating a $1.8 million profit for himself.
The attorneys in Sommers Schwartz’s Medical Malpractice Litigation Group are not only seeking damages from Dr. Sabit for their clients’ injuries, but have also named the hospitals and clinic where the surgeries were performed in attempt to obtain the maximum recovery. If you, a loved one, or someone you know was treated by Dr. Aria Sabit and have experienced unnecessary pain and suffering, you may have been the victim of fraud or medical malpractice. Please contact us today to discuss your situation!
Richard L. Groffsky
Richard Groffsky focuses his practice on medical malpractice and personal injury litigation, and has represented victims of devastating brain injuries and birth injuries in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia in significant brain injury and birth injury cases.
