Facility: Antelope Valley Hospital
Date of Incident: October…read more2-3, 2025
Procedure Scheduled: Surgical treatment for meralgia paresthetica
Assigned Surgeons:
Primary: Dr. Farrukh
Backup/Secondary: Dr. Rafael Lemus
Summary of Events
On October 2, 2025, I was scheduled for a surgical procedure requiring the presence of both the primary surgeon, Dr. Farrukh, and the secondary surgeon, Dr. Rafael Lemus, as well as the anesthesiologist. According to hospital protocol and the arrangement agreed upon by the surgical team, no part of the procedure was to begin unless all required personnel were present.
Despite this requirement, the hospital proceeded with full preoperative preparation. I completed blood work, received IV fluids and antibiotics, was transported to the operating room, shaved, marked at the surgical site, and sedated. At that point, I was fully unconscious and unable to provide consent or make decisions.
While I was under sedation, Dr. Lemus left the hospital without notification or justification. Dr Farrukh self admitting in a frustrated condition spoke to Me about this in passing. When contacted, he refused to return, leaving the required surgical team incomplete. As a result, the surgery was not performed.
Upon awakening, I was given inconsistent and limited information. My subsequent requests for clarification and for copies of my medical records were met with resistance, prompting concerns about transparency and potential record concealment. I documented my interactions with staff to preserve evidence.
On October 3, 2025, Dr. Farrukh called to confirm the following:
Dr. Lemus left the hospital without notification or justification. When contacted, he refused to return, leaving the required surgical team incomplete. As a result, the surgery was not performed.
Upon awakening, I was given inconsistent and limited information. My subsequent requests for clarification and for copies of my medical records were met with resistance, prompting concerns about transparency and potential record concealment. I documented my interactions with staff to preserve evidence.
On October 3, 2025, Dr. Farrukh called to confirm the following:
Dr. Lemus left the hospital prior to the surgery.
He refused to return when contacted by staff.
The hospital's director and scheduling manager were terminated as a result of the incident according to Dr Farrukh's statements.
Legal Concerns Identified
Based on these facts, the following issues appear to be present:
Breach of contract/procedural agreement among the surgical team
Patient abandonment by the secondary surgeon
Patient battery, as sedation and invasive preoperative steps were performed without the full surgical team present
Gross negligence and professional malpractice
Institutional liability for failure to follow required surgical protocols
Potential punitive damages, due to actions taken while I was unconscious and unable to protect my own interests
Current Status
The surgery was not completed, leaving the underlying medical condition untreated. I must now obtain a new surgeon. I am seeking legal representation to pursue appropriate claims.
