Expert Reports From Noted Toxicologist And Cardiologist Validate Dr. Salerian's Objections Regarding Autopsy Conclusions

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two noted medical experts, toxicologist Dr. Stephen Godfrey and cardiologist Dr. John Hakim, have presented expert reports that seriously question the legitimacy of the autopsy and toxicology reports of one of Dr. Alen Salerian's former patients, P.K.   Both Dr. Godfrey and Dr. Hakim concluded that it is not reasonable to conclude that Dr. Salerian's prescription of methadone was the cause of P.K.'s death.  At the July 1, 2013 hearing that determined the fate of Dr. Salerian's medical license, one Board member identified the death of P.K. as the major reason why he voted to revoke the doctor's medical license.  As a result, Dr. Hakim's and Dr. Godfrey's expert reports undermine the Board's basis for revocation.

Dr. Hakim, a distinguished Maryland cardiologist, noted that P.K.'s heart was abnormally large and suggested that this was due to congenital heart disease, which could have caused sudden cardiac death in P.K.  Dr. Hakim also noted that P.K. had been taking the antidepressant citalopram (Celexa) prior to his death, which can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart and generate an abnormal cardiac rhythm.  In his opinion, "[t]he medical examiner underappreciated the danger of citalopram (Celexa) and other drugs in [P.K.'s] system."  Dr. Hakim stated that "methadone as a cause of death is not reasonable."  He then identifies at least two other possible causes of death, including P.K.'s enlarged heart and arrhythmia caused by the antidepressant.  

Dr. Godfrey, a well-respected pathologist from St. Louis, noted that P.K. had quantities of bupropion and ethanol in his system at the time of his death.  These chemicals, when taken in combination with methadone, can drastically increase the likelihood of respiratory arrest.  Dr. Godfrey concluded that he did "not find compelling evidence for Dr. Salerian's culpability in this death from the documentation provided."

In summary, based on their review and observations both experts disagree with the autopsy report presented to the Board.  Dr. Salerian has appealed the Board of Medicine's decision to the D.C. Court of Appeals.  He also intends to seek reconsideration from the Board of its decision to revoke his medical license in light of this significant new evidence.

Dr. Salerian's attorney, David Sanford of Sanford Heisler, said, "Two nationally renowned experts have concluded what Dr. Salerian has known from the beginning – namely, that P.K.'s death, while tragic, was not due to Dr. Salerian's prescribed course of treatment."

About Sanford Heisler

Sanford Heisler is a public interest law firm with offices in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco that specializes in employment discrimination, wage and hour, qui tam and other civil rights matters. The firm has extensive experience in complex class action litigation having successfully represented thousands of individuals in major class action cases in the United States. The firm also represents select individual clients with a particular emphasis on the representation of executives and lawyers in employment disputes and whistleblowers. In May 2010, the firm won the largest jury award in the U.S. in a gender discrimination employment class action when a jury returned a verdict of $253 million in compensatory and punitive damages against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. In 2012, the firm settled a wage and hour case on behalf of sales reps employed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals for $99 million. For more information, contact Sanford Heisler at (202) 499-5200.

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SOURCE Sanford Heisler LLP