Palm Beach County, FL – A former Florida OB-GYN has been ordered to pay $100 million in damages following the mishandling of a circumcision procedure that resulted in severe injury to an infant boy. Dr. Berto Lopez, who practiced medicine for over three decades before losing his license, has been held responsible for this catastrophic error and several other negligent cases leading up to this landmark court decision.
The devastating incident, which occurred just 10 days after the Florida Board of Medicine revoked Lopez’s license, involved a routine circumcision going tragically wrong. The procedure severing a third of the infant’s penis, led to immediate severe complications and distress for the child and his family. The child, now three years old, faces long-term physical and psychological challenges, with experts indicating that no amount of restorative surgery can completely repair the damage.
During the lawsuit, it was revealed that Lopez had been involved in multiple cases of medical malpractice. Court records indicate at least 14 serious injuries under his care, including six fatalities. The recent trial starkly highlighted the broader pattern of negligence, illustrating Lopez’s failure to adhere to medical standards and regulatory requirements.
One of the most egregious breaches was Lopez’s decision to operate within a hospital suite rather than in a properly equipped operating room, which reportedly contributed to the death of a 40-year-old patient, Onystei Castillo-Lopez. After giving birth, Castillo-Lopez experienced severe cervical tears that Lopez unsuccessfully attempted to repair, leading to her death from excessive bleeding a few months later.
Unlike other physicians who, on average, might face two to three malpractice suits during their careers, Lopez has been signalled out for his extensive list of litigations, including four disciplinary actions and nine malpractice suits according to a local news outlet review. Notably, these previous cases included two other infant deaths and an 18-year-old mother who died under his care during the 1990s.
Legal representatives and family members of the victims have criticized Lopez for not fully disclosing the status of his medical license, alleging that he continued to practice and perform surgeries without proper authorization. During the trial, expert witnesses and graphics demonstrated the severe impact of Lopez’s actions, which were described graphically as creating a “bleeding, scabby mess.”
The licensing board’s eventual revocation of Lopez’s medical practicing rights came only after several repeated offenses, raising concerns about oversight and patient safety in medical practice. The state board had already imposed restrictions on his license following previous incidents linked to patient injuries and deaths.
In the community and among the affected families, the repercussions of Lopez’s actions continue to resonate deeply. Michael Lubben, the father of the injured boy, expressed his ongoing trauma and concern for his son’s future, reflecting broader anxieties about the permanent consequences of medical negligence.
The $100 million judgment, while it cannot undo the harm suffered, signifies a substantial penalty aimed at addressing the egregious malpractice and preventing future occurrences. It serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining rigorous medical standards and regulatory oversight to protect patients.