Suit Alleges Defective Spinal Hardware

Two patients who underwent spinal surgeries at a Long Beach hospital that recently closed under growing accusations of workers' compensation fraud has sued the physicians involved, claming defective hardware was implanted in their bodies.

The suits were filed by Abraham Pena, 35, and Frank Gomez, 62. Both received spinal implants at the former Pacific Hospital of Long Beach.

According to their attorney, Bruce Brusavich of Torrance, both patients received defective screws and other parts. Brusavich claimed that the parts lacked the appropriate serial numbers in order to track down their manufacturer and origin.

“I've been doing these kind of cases for 30 years, and really haven't seen these many hardware issues involving a single facility and group of physicians,” Brusavich said.

Pacific Hospital's owner, Michael Drobot, 70, pled guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and payment of kickbacks connected to a federal healthcare program. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to paying five-figure kickbacks for every lumbar fusion and cervical fusion surgery performed at the hospital. 

Also charged in the case is Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, who is accused of accepting $88,000 in bribes from Drobot in lieu of drafting legislation to ensure high payments for spinal fusion software remained in place. Calderon is facing 24 charges in the case, and has taken a leave of absence from the Legislature.