Could Your Surgeon Be Distracted?
When we enter a hospital or a surgical center, we place our lives in the hands of professionals we trust to be focused, diligent, and alert. But what happens when that trust is shattered by "gross negligence"?
A recent investigation by 9News has brought to light one of the most jarring examples of medical malpractice in recent Colorado history. It involves a routine eye surgery that turned fatal—not because of an unavoidable complication, but because the medical team was allegedly distracted by a game of "music bingo."
At Parker Lipman, attorney Dan Lipman has been at the forefront of this case, fighting for the truth and for the family of the victim, Bart Writer.
The Case: When Distraction Leads to Disaster
In February 2023, Bart Writer underwent what should have been a standard cataract surgery. According to the grand jury indictment, the anesthesiologist and members of the medical team were playing a game that involved pairing songs played in the operating room with the letters "B-I-N-G-O."
The consequences were catastrophic. Critical audible alarms—which would have alerted the team that Bart’s oxygen levels were dropping—had been turned down or disabled. By the time the team realized he was in distress, it was too late.
Dan Lipman, who represented the Writer family during the civil litigation, described it as "one of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice" he has ever seen. Thanks in part to the relentless pursuit of accountability by the legal team and Bart’s widow, Chris Writer, the anesthesiologist now faces criminal charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Why You Need a Lawyer on Your Side in Denver
In Colorado, the path to justice for medical malpractice is steep. Medical boards and insurance companies are often designed to protect providers, not patients. As Chris Writer noted in the 9News report, she was forced to uncover the truth herself because the regulatory systems failed to act.
Here is why having an experienced lawyer like Dan Lipman is essential:
- Uncovering the Truth: In cases like the "Music Bingo" tragedy, medical facilities rarely volunteer information about their mistakes. A lawyer has the resources to conduct depositions, subpoena records, and find the "smoking gun" that proves negligence.
- Navigating the Colorado Candor Act: Colorado has specific laws regarding how medical errors are reported and settled. An expert attorney ensures you don't sign away your rights or accept a settlement that undervalues your loss.
- Leveling the Playing Field: Doctors and hospitals have massive legal teams and insurance companies behind them. You need an advocate who is equally sophisticated and unafraid to go to trial.
- Handling the Burden of Proof: Medical malpractice cases require "expert testimony." Dan Lipman’s deep connections in the medical community allow him to bring in top-tier experts to testify on exactly how the standard of care was breached.
Justice for the "Completely Preventable"
The loss of Bart Writer was, in his wife's words, "completely preventable." No amount of money can bring back a loved one, but accountability ensures that such reckless behavior is punished and prevented from happening to another family.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical negligence in Denver or across Colorado, you don't have to face the system alone. Trust Parker Lipman to fight for the answers and the justice you deserve.
Contact Dan Lipman and the team at Parker Lipman today for a consultation.