Dr. Richard Laughlin, employed by UC West Chester Hospital, performed a bunionectomy on my right foot approximately 5 years ago.
At a consult Laughlin did mention a surgery on the long toe because, he explained, it would be aesthetically pleasing. I did not request or knowingly consent to the second procedure, and UC has failed to provide documentation despite repeated requests.
That toe no longer has flexion, i.e., I cannot bend it, and it looks deformed rather than aesthetically pleasing. In fact, the scarring was so bad that I asked Laughlin whether someone else had performed the surgery. Laughlin was visibly surprised that I asked, and then admitted that he had overseen a student who did some or all of the work. I don't know whether Laughlin wanted to teach a student that procedure, but I did feel that he used me as a guinea pig.
In any event, Laughlin also botched the bunionectomy. The toes were - very obviously -- still in need of a bunionectomy. Several years later I received a corrective bunionectomy from another surgeon. UC was not cooperative in my requests for assistance in finding another doctor, and failed to provide requested records.
I want to be clear that I am not and never have sought monetary damages. I believe the public and future patients have a right to know that UC and Richard Laughlin perform poorly and have each others' backs -- at the expense of patient care. read more
