COLUMBIA, Md. — A Howard County Circuit Court jury this month awarded $7.25 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit related to the death of 22-year-old college student Zion Lewis, marking what is believed to be the county’s largest malpractice verdict. Lewis died after his physician altered his prescribed blood thinner regimen to a lower dosage of baby aspirin, a decision that subsequently led to his untimely death.
In May 2023, Lewis’ parents filed a wrongful death and medical malpractice suit against Dr. Yousuf Abdul Gaffar and Maryland Oncology Hematology, a noted oncology and hematology group in Maryland. The legal claim brought to light the critical events preceding Lewis’s passing on December 17, 2021. According to the lawsuit, after traveling home from college for the winter holidays, Lewis was found deceased by his mother. An autopsy revealed the cause of death as complications from blood clots, scientifically referred to as a “lower left extremity occlusive thrombus” and “bilateral pulmonary arterial thromboemboli.”
The family’s legal representatives, Marissa B. Joelson and Aaron R. Parker from Peter Angelos Law, argued that the alteration in medication was a breach of standard medical care, noticeably contributing to the tragic outcome. The jury resonated with this viewpoint, delivering a significant verdict in favor of Lewis’ family. Sandra Christie, Lewis’ mother from Columbia, and his father, Toby Lewis from York, Pennsylvania, were awarded $3.77 million and $3 million respectively, with an additional $500,000 going to Lewis’ estate, managed by his father.
Neither Dr. Gaffar nor the representatives from Maryland Oncology Hematology offered comments regarding the verdict this week. Their legal representatives, Charles “Chad” I. Joseph and Luciana Brienza expressed disappointment, noting that Dr. Gaffar is commended as a reputed hematologist and asserted that he provided reasonable care.
Despite disagreeing with the jury’s conclusion, Joseph mentioned that the defendants do not plan to appeal the decision. He highlighted the integrity of the jury system for resolving such disputes, although he personally viewed the outcome as disproportionate to the alleged malpractice displayed.
The complaint detailed that shortly before his demise, Lewis, under Dr. Gaffar’s care at Maryland Oncology Hematology’s Columbia facility, notified the doctor about his dwindling supply of prescribed blood thinners. He had been on medication following a severe pulmonary embolism in June 2020. Additionally, Lewis mentioned a potential surgery to remove a facial lipoma, though it was not scheduled at the time. Dr. Gaffar then advised him to finish his current medication and switch to a low-dose aspirin regimen, with clear instructions on stopping the medication five days prior to any potential surgery and to follow up within a year.
Dr. Gaffar’s medical credentials remain active in Maryland, with no disciplinary actions noted on the Maryland Board of Physicians’ website. His prior association with Maryland Oncology Hematology is no longer evident as his name does not appear on the current list of practicing physicians. His professional footprint remains visible online, with listings including Denver.
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