CRIME RULED OUT IN SURGERY DEATH.Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer A Ventura County district attorney's review found no criminal conduct in the death of a 25-year-old Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. mother following cosmetic surgery cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes, such as the improvement of the appearance of the face by removing wrinkles or reshaping the nose. at a Westlake Village clinic, officials said Wednesday. Tania
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy, is cosmetic surgery performed to remove unwanted deposits of fat from under the skin. procedures at the clinic of Dr. Theodore Corwin on Feb. 16. She died 12 days later. The county coroner's autopsy ruled the cause of death was possibly a negative reaction to the painkiller Demerol, which resulted in a lack of oxygen reaching the brain and causing the coma. The county prosecutor's review of the circumstances in the death, including interviews and related documents, failed to produce evidence of criminal conduct, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Holmes Richard Holmes is the name of:
``When we get an inquiry for a death, and certainly this was a sudden death, we often look into it. We did and that's our response,'' Holmes said. ``We don't deal with civil liability.'' Mike Pfefferman, who was in the waiting room of the clinic while his wife underwent the cosmetic surgery, said he was aware of the review and wouldn't comment on the outcome. Pfefferman's attorney, Fred Bysshe, said the death will result in a civil lawsuit. ``We will be sending out those notices shortly,'' said Bysshe, a medical malpractice Improper, unskilled, or negligent treatment of a patient by a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional. attorney based in Ventura. ``Our preliminary investigation has been completed and we have concluded there is civil liability.'' The attorney for Corwin did not return phone calls Wednesday. Corwin issued a statement through his attorney on March 11 that described the death as tragic. ``Dr. Corwin and his entire staff are deeply saddened at the untimely loss of such a loving wife, daughter and mother and again send their deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Dr. Corwin, through his attorneys, is fully cooperating with all ongoing investigations and anxiously awaits the results of post mortem [Latin, After death.] Pertaining to matters occurring after death. A term generally applied to an autopsy or examination of a corpse in order to ascertain the cause of death or to the inquisition for that purpose by the Coroner . and toxicology studies inasmuch as Mrs. Pfefferman underwent the entire surgical procedure without incident.'' Corwin has been licensed by the Medical Board of California to practice as a physician in the state since 1975. He is listed as being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. was organized as a subsidiary of the American Board of Surgery in 1938. The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. was given the status of a major specialty board in 1941. , according to records. State Medical Board records show no formal accusation has been filed against Corwin. The Medical Board is prohibited by law from commenting on whether a complaint has been filed or an investigation is pending. |
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