63-year-old Richard Flagg, a Vietnam vet, died on September 8, 2003 from complications of medical malpractice. Three years ago, Richard, a barge captain in New York harbor, was diagnosed with a benign bleeding tumor in one of his lungs that had to be removed. A New Jersey surgeon removed the wrong lung and, therefore, doctors could not remove his only remaining lung. After the ill-fated surgery, Richard needed oxygen 24 hours a day and was permanently connected to oxygen tanks. He carried the tanks on an electric cart that he rode wherever he went.
The Center for Justice & Democracy is the only national consumer organization in the country exclusively dedicated to protecting our civil justice system. If you'd like more information, please contact us.
