Are All Doctors this Retarded? Part II
Oral Surgeon, Dr. Robert Woo of Auburn, WA., thought that it would be funny to take pictures of his patient/employee while she was under anesthesia for a procedure he was performing.
The employee, Tina Alberts, has a pot-belly pig she adores and also rescues pot-belly pigs on the side. Dr. Woo would regularly make fun of her passion and joke about eating her pig. He even went so far as to go wild boar hunting and then proudly show her the pictures of the boars he killed.
When she needed some dental work done he offered to do the procedure for her and for some reason she agreed.
This is where it goes from Dr. Woo ”Asshole Dentist” to Dr. Woo “Total Dick”.
Here’s what happened according to the Seattle Times:
Walter was the pet of Woo’s surgical assistant and a frequent office topic. The assistant, who worked for Woo for about five years, adored Walter. But ever the jokester, Woo couldn’t resist barbs about barbecuing Walter.
The assistant had asked Woo to replace two of her teeth with implants. Along with ordering the necessary partial bridges, Woo ordered a set in the shape of boar tusks.
During the procedure, Woo and his staff removed the assistant’s oxygen mask, inserted the tusks and took photos, some with her eyes pried open. Woo then completed the planned dental work.
She was given the photos sometime later by a coworker. Traumatized she left work and never came back. Dr. Woo settled a lawsuit with her for $250,000.
What an idiot. So, Dr. Robert Woo of Auburn Washington, you are on my list of Doctors who are idiots and should never practice medicine.
Old news, the update is that Woo gets the last laugh. He sues his insurance company, who wouldn’t cover him, and won $750,000. Go Woo!
Right. Dr. Woo did win $750k from his insurance company (as mentioned in the linked news story), and that is what spawned this round of news coverage.
I didn’t mention that in my post out of neglect, but because I am covering the Retarded Doctor angle here in Seattle.
Tina Alberts (Dr. Woo’s former assistant) is the one with the problem. I think it is great that a medical perfessional has a sense of humor and works to keep the atmosphere up beat in his office. Apparently the only evidence that the tusks were temporarily installed were the photos.
Fuck Ms. Alberts if she can’t take a joke.
Yeah, I agree. Fuck Ms Alberts if she can’t take a joke. 250 000 out of court action for a stupid photo. This kinda shit wouldn’t happen anywhere else except the US.
C
This sadistic clown played a cruel practical joke on a patient who was also an employee and got sued. This amounted to intentional malpractice, and probably harassment as well. His insurance company didn’t cover him, because quite rightly intentional malpractice is not the kind of thing that insurance companies cover. If he shot her with a gun or murdered her with an overdose of anesthetic would the insurance company cover him in a lawsuit?
Now the Washington State Supreme Court has rewarded him with a million dollars for committing intentional malpractice and getting sued for it. Who pays for his million dollar payout for committing intentional malpractice? Who pays for the court costs in three separate trials? Who pays when the Judiciary gets it so obviously wrong?
You already know who pays. We all do.