LIBBY, Mont. – A local clinic reputed for treating asbestos-related diseases is again in the legal crosshairs, this time facing allegations of medical malpractice and wrongful death connected to opiate prescriptions and misdiagnoses. A lawsuit filed October 10 in Lincoln County District Court accuses Dr. Charles Brad Black, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, and other associated medical personnel of serious errors in diagnosis and medication practices that purportedly led to disability and death among residents.
The complaint, lodged by Thomas Steiger, a representative of the late Terry L. Steiger who died in 2015, and Thomas J. Matilas, a former patient, alleges that the clinic prescribed opioid pain medications improperly and failed to meet diagnostic standards for asbestos-related diseases. Their legal representation includes Libby attorney Amy Guth and the Missoula firm McFarland, Molloy, and Duerk.
According to the legal documents, the clinic’s actions may have also been influenced by a previous fraud finding in a 2023 lawsuit initiated by BNSF Railway. This earlier case, where a jury found the clinic guilty of filing 337 false claims, highlighted the unnecessary prescription of narcotics and possibly fraudulent sick-leave claims.
Dr. Black stands out in this scenario, having held significant roles such as medical director, chief executive officer, and chief physician over the years. Tracy McNew, another central figure in the case, initially worked as a licensed practical nurse before rising to executive director. Their oversight also fell under scrutiny for allegedly inadequate hiring and training practices.
The plaintiffs hold that both men dismissed from the clinic suffered due to medical oversight, wherein they were deterred from second opinions that could have revealed true underlying conditions such as heart disease, potentially exacerbated by inappropriate treatments. Before Terry Steiger’s death, he was reportedly advised against heart evaluations, with fatal consequences.
Moreover, the lawsuit paints a stark picture of the broader impact on the community, highlighting how the clinic’s prescribed treatments led to a cascade of health issues, including increased addiction risks and suicide rates. It purportedly claims punitive damages along with compensation for emotional distress, economic losses, and wrongful death.
Seeking accountability, the plaintiffs cite recent judicial outcomes and regulatory lapses within the clinic’s operations. The filing argues that the clinic had sidestepped crucial licensing and regulatory inspections required under Montana law. This deficiency arguably enabled less constrained prescribing of potent opioids like fentanyl, which federal data reveals were alarmingly dominant in the local drug market during certain periods.
As the lawsuit proceeds, legal experts and local observers are closely watching the consequences for public health policies and the medical practices geared towards treating asbestos-impacted populations.
Legal analysts indicate that this case could set significant precedent regarding the medical community’s responsibilities in rural health crises, specifically around ethical diagnostics and drug prescription standards.
Please note: This article was automatically generated by Open AI and could contain factual inaccuracies. Please address any concerns about content accuracy, requests for removal, or corrections via email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.