Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE FAMILY OF Bill Paxton has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Los Angeles hospital and the surgeon who performed the actor’s heart surgery shortly before he died.
The suit filed Friday against Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre alleges the surgeon, used a “high risk and unconventional surgical approach” that was unnecessary and that he lacked the experience to perform, and that he downplayed the procedure’s risks.
And it alleges the hospital knew the surgeon, Dr Ali Khoynezhad, tended to “engage in maverick surgeries and show suboptimal judgment”.
The misguided treatment caused Paxton to suffer excessive bleeding, cardiogenic shock and a compromised coronary artery, the suit alleges.
Paxton’s death certificate says he died on 25 February 2017, from a stroke, 11 days after surgery to replace a heart valve and repair aorta damage. He was 61.
“Bill Paxton and his family trusted the physicians and staff at this medical facility but instead Cedars-Sinai betrayed their trust,” the family’s attorney Bruce Broillet said in a statement. “The surgeon’s actions resulted in this tragic and preventable death.”
Paxton’s widow, Louise, and children, James and Lydia, brought the lawsuit. It seeks unspecified damages and reserves the right to add more defendants who work for the hospital as their roles and names become clear.
Cedars-Sinai said it could not offer public comment about Paxton’s case.
“State and federal privacy laws prevent us from commenting about patient care without written authorization,” a statement said. “Nothing is more important to Cedars-Sinai than the health and safety of our patients. These remain our top priorities. One of the reasons for our high quality is that we thoroughly review concerns about any patient’s medical care. This process ensures that we can continue to provide the highest quality care.”
Khoynezhad has since left Cedars-Sinai for another hospital. An after-hours message left seeking comment from him was not immediately returned.
The lawsuit comes just before the first anniversary of the death of Paxton, who played major supporting roles in the films Apollo 13, Titanic, and Aliens, and starred in the HBO series Big Love.
Paxton, who was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, was among the industry’s busiest actors, with nearly 100 credits, and was starring in the CBS drama Training Day when he died.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
So they have proof that the doctor didn’t explain the risks properly? That’s essentially what it boils down to. I don’t really like when hospitals or doctors get sued based on hearsay. If it was malpractice then the body will tell that. But if it was a riskier procedure than necessary the only people that can testify to whether the patient knew that or not are the people bringing the case and the defendant.
@Dave O Keeffe: Valve replacement is a very routine operation nowadays, it’s practically unheard of for people to die from it.
@Dave O Keeffe: family members were probably present when the surgeon explained the type of surgery he planned to use for valve replacement and the surgeon is obligated to explain why he wanted to do a particular surgical method. If the surgeon misrepresented the risks of the particular method, they would have proof.
Bill Paxton was a fine actor and unfortunately lost his life. A lawsuit won’t bring him back but perhaps the publicity from the case would improve survival rates for others facing similar surgery.
@Neal Ireland Hello.: it wasn’t just valve replacement and I am not medically qualified to debate the merits of the procedures. I just can’t believe that the hospital that had Bill Paxton in decided to let an incompetent surgeon decide what’s best and operate? Not a chance. The hospital’s legal team I’d imagine were all over this. No way the hospital or legal would have allowed unnecessary risk without full consultation with the patient.
@Dave O Keeffe: you would be surprised how over confident some doctors are. He might of thought he could do it when in fact he wasn’t capable. When you are sitting in front of one with your life in your hands you just listen and nod. I think tv medical programmes have made us think they are gods.
@Dr Rex Butts: I know surgeons tend to have high levels of confidence in their own abilities but the choice of procedure would not have been up to the surgeon. I can’t see why a hospital would allow a surgeon to perform an unnecessarily dangerous surgery.
@Dave O Keeffe: exactly, I work for a consultant and you’d be amazed what people ‘don’t’ hear, also this was not just a valve job.
Great actor – always loved watching his movies.
@Red Ruskie: A Simple Plan
Having been through similar, I would like to think the family to find some resolution but unfortunately don’t hold out much hope they ever will.
Newsnight hasn’t been the same since!
It’s Bill Pullman you fool!
@Chris Cle: eh, no
@Chris Cle:
Oops!
@Chris Cle: according to wikipiki Bill Pullman is still very much alive
@Susanne Morgan: Was he not killed fighting those aliens in Independence Day?
@Chris Cle: As the late Bruce Willis once said, “It’s so important to get your facts right”
@Rodney Monaghan: context matters, was he wearing a wig or not at the time?
@Chris Cle: Simpson’s reference
Captain Mcallister: ably played by Bill Paxton
Homer: it’s Bill Pullman you fool!
@Chris Cle: ah, sorry.
have your say