In a massive legal escalation, 510 women have filed a lawsuit against a Virginia hospital and its executives, seeking a staggering $10 million each in damages. The lawsuit targets Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, alleging that its leadership was fully aware of the horrific medical fraud perpetrated by former doctor Javaid Perwaiz but failed to stop him. Perwaiz is already serving a 59-year federal prison sentence for his crimes.
Hospital Executives Accused of Complicity
While Perwaiz's conviction in 2021 was widely reported, this new civil suit brings fresh and damning allegations against the hospital's administration. The plaintiffs argue that the executives of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center were not innocent bystanders. They claim the hospital management had clear knowledge of Perwaiz's pattern of performing unnecessary and invasive surgeries yet turned a blind eye, allowing the abuse to continue for years. Following his arrest, the hospital had attempted to distance itself, claiming ignorance of his misconduct.
A Decade of Deception and Trauma
For nearly a decade, from 2010 to 2019, Javaid Perwaiz manipulated and traumatized his patients. He falsely told women they needed urgent surgeries to prevent serious health dangers. His fraudulent procedures included unnecessary hysterectomies and dilation and curettage (D&C) surgeries. In a particularly egregious act, he even falsified pregnant patients' due dates to induce labor early for his own convenience.
Most of his patients were covered under Medicaid, and Perwaiz exploited this system ruthlessly. The more surgeries he performed, the more money he fraudulently claimed. Over ten years, he billed for over $20 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims. This illicit income funded an extravagant lifestyle, complete with five luxury cars and lavish shopping sprees at high-end stores.
Lasting Physical and Emotional Scars
The consequences for the victims were devastating and lifelong. Many women suffered severe physical harm, including incontinence and the inability to have sexual intercourse. All were left with deep psychological trauma, having been deceived into undergoing major, life-altering operations they did not need.
The scheme finally unraveled when the FBI received a crucial tip: women were arriving at the hospital for surgeries without understanding what procedure they were about to undergo. This triggered an investigation that led to Perwaiz's arrest. His medical license was canceled in 2020, and he received his 59-year prison sentence in 2021. Now, the victims are seeking accountability from the institution they believe enabled him, aiming for justice and substantial compensation for their immense suffering.
