Released on = August 8, 2007, 4:50 am

Press Release Author = rainier policarpio

Industry = Law

Press Release Summary = In a whistle-blowing case in Miami, Florida, certified
neurosurgeon, Linda I. Bland and the hospital administration where she was employed
agreed to reimburse the government with the outstanding amount of $1.275 million for
their illicit medical performances on several Medicare patients. Bland and her staff
performed uncalled for spinal surgeries several times during the years 2000 to 2002
at the Sebastian River Medical Center located on the Treasure Coast between Fort
Pearce and Melbourne. The whistle blower of the highly remarkable case was Thomas
Gayeski who works as an anesthesiologist of the same hospital.

Press Release Body =
In a whistle-blowing case in Miami, Florida, certified neurosurgeon, Linda I. Bland
and the hospital administration where she was employed agreed to reimburse the
government with the outstanding amount of $1.275 million for their illicit medical
performances on several Medicare patients. Bland and her staff performed uncalled
for spinal surgeries several times during the years 2000 to 2002 at the Sebastian
River Medical Center located on the Treasure Coast between Fort Pearce and
Melbourne. The whistle blower of the highly remarkable case was Thomas Gayeski who
works as an anesthesiologist of the same hospital.

Los Angeles, California, July 31, 2007 - The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami has
revealed, last Thursday, that the Federal Government has indeed received a the
$1.275 million worth of settlement by Bland and the hospital.

Whistleblower Thomas Gayeski filed a case against Linda I. Bland for performing over
150 unwarranted surgeries to spinal cord injury patients under the Medicare program.
Gayeski also ascertained the name and location of the hospital where Bland performed
her unnecessary acts and the period when these happened.

The whistle-blowing case was considered as a very unusual feat by a medical
practitioner accusing his colleague of her misdeed, stated by Kenneth W. Goodman,
the bioethics program director of University of Miami. Goodman further affirmed that
there was actually some reluctance in identifying these threats.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta said in his prepared report that these
unnecessary surgeries are not fraudulent, but unconsciously exposed patients to
needless medical risks.
Acosta added that they would assert all their efforts to indict those health care
professionals who would be caught ordering and performing unnecessary medical
routines that jeopardized the health and safety of the public and steal from the
government's insufficient Medicare system funds.

On the other hand, Gayeski said that he has previously filed a complaint to the
hospital board before bringing the case in court. However, the hospital
administrators have disregarded his plea. "Bland's performance of unwarranted spinal
surgeries evolved into a routine custom, pattern and practice," he declared.

The hospital's lawyer, Gabriel Imperato, contradicted this statement by affirming
that the hospital administration has no prior knowledge of these unnecessary
surgeries. If such complaint, regarding to Bland's actions, was made, Gayeski failed
to include the unnecessary procedures undergone by the accused. He even took part
frequently on these surgeries and he has only decided to file charges upon his
separation from the hospital, added by Imperato.

Nevertheless, the case has lead to a fair settlement wherein the Bland and the said
hospital paid $350,000 and $925,000 respectively. This does not include Gayeski's
professional fees that cost $40,000, which should be paid by the wrongdoers. In
addition, Gayeski has gained $230,000 in financial rewards for revealing such
illegal acts.

Mesriani Law Group, Los Angeles Lawyers - Our attorneys work on helping clients
receive restitution for financial resources expended by them in an effort to make
their lives normal again, in the aftermath of tragic accidents and events. We help
in restoring our clients´ peace of mind by attaining large settlements and verdicts
for them in a court of law. For more information, please log on to
Web Site = http://www.mesrianilaw.com

Contact Details = rainierp@mesriani.com