A former Florida doctor, Berto Lopez, has been found liable for a staggering $100 million in a medical malpractice case involving a botched circumcision that left an infant with severe injuries. However, this is not the only instance of malpractice linked to Lopez, who has a trail of botched procedures and patient deaths spanning his 33-year career as an OB-GYN in Palm Beach County.
A History of Malpractice
Lopez’s medical license was revoked in 2021 after a series of mishandled procedures, including the death of a mother, Onystei Castillo-Lopez, who bled to death after giving birth to her second child. An administrative complaint filed by the Florida Department of Health revealed that Lopez had attempted to repair the mother’s cervix in a hospital suite instead of an operating room, leading to her tragic death.
Further investigation by The Palm Beach Post uncovered a pattern of malpractice, including six patient deaths and numerous serious injuries to women and children. Lopez had been named in four disciplinary cases and nine malpractice actions, including lawsuits over the deaths of two infants and an 18-year-old mother who died in the 1990s.
Botched Circumcision Leads to $100 Million Award
The recent $100 million award stems from a botched circumcision performed by Lopez on an infant, identified as Baby G.L., in 2021. The procedure left the infant with severe injuries, including a severed penis and urethra. Lopez had failed to inform the parents of the infant’s license revocation and performed the procedure without their knowledge.
How Could Lopez Practice After License Revocation?
Lopez’s license revocation did not take effect immediately, allowing him to continue practicing medicine for a short period. During this time, he performed the botched circumcision on Baby G.L. without disclosing his license revocation to the parents.
Other Injured and Dead Patients
Lopez’s trail of malpractice includes the deaths of six patients, including:
– Onystei Castillo-Lopez, a 40-year-old mother who bled to death after giving birth to her second child
– Two infants who died due to botched procedures
– An 18-year-old mother who died in the 1990s
