Matory Faces Claims in Other Cases

The California Medical Board’s revocation Wednesday of Dr. W. Earle Matory Jr.’s medical license is not the end of the Irvine plastic surgeon’s legal battles.

Matory still faces accusations by the medical board that he did not properly treat two other patients who suffered postoperative complications.

In addition, nine other former patients have filed medical malpractice lawsuits against Matory, alleging poor treatment during surgery for breast augmentations, nose jobs, brow lifts, resurfacing of skin and other procedures performed between April 1 and Oct. 10, 1996.

Two financial institutions also have filed lawsuits alleging that Matory has not made payments on loans and a lease agreement for medical equipment since July.

The nine malpractice lawsuits were filed by:

* Monic Alponte of Westminster, who allegedly suffered injuries to her face, head and eyes as a result of laser treatment on April 1, 1996, to the face, upper eyelids and brow.

* Sheila Alponte, Monic’s sister, who had the same treatment on the same day and allegedly suffered the same injuries.

* Ronald Freeman of Corona, who allegedly suffered injury to his face, eyes and brow during treatment on May 1, 1996.

* Rose Candelaria of Porterville, who underwent surgery on June 28, 1996, and allegedly suffered damage to her eyes, face and stomach.

* Susan Friedman, who allegedly suffered injury during breast augmentation on July 3, 1996, that required repair by another surgeon.

* Cassandra Ryder, who had surgery on July 19, 1996, and has since allegedly suffered a bottom eyelid droop. According to the lawsuit, Matory performed eye and nose surgery procedures to which Ryder did not consent. Her lawsuit alleges medical malpractice and battery.

* Suzanne Sorrenson, who underwent surgery on Sept. 11, 1996, and allegedly suffered damage to her breasts, face, eyes and brow.

* Francine Carroll, who alleges she suffered nerve damage to the right side of her face after surgery on Sept. 18, 1996.

* Danielle Neary, who underwent surgery on Oct. 10, 1996, for a brow lift, nose augmentation, breast augmentation, tummy tuck and a thigh lift. According to her lawsuit, she suffered severe and “permanently disfiguring injuries to her forehead, nose, breasts, abdomen and thighs.”

Neary also developed an infection in her breasts that was improperly diagnosed by Matory, the lawsuit alleges. She later underwent two additional surgeries, the first to remove and replace the right breast implant, and the second for removal of both implants that resulted in “bilateral simple mastectomies which were performed without [Neary’s] knowledge or consent,” the lawsuit states.

Matory’s attorney in the malpractice filings, Patricia Carmichael of Newport Beach, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In addition, Union Bank of California filed a lawsuit alleging that Matory has failed to make his monthly payment of $2,361 since July on the $141,667 loan he took out in September 1966. According to the lawsuit, he also has not made monthly payments since July on a $25,000 commercial loan he took out in November 1996. The suit asks for payment in full on the loans, plus interest.

Another institution, First Sierra Financial, has sued, alleging that Matory has failed to make monthly payments of $1,150 since July on the lease of medical equipment.

In addition to the 11 civil lawsuits, Matory faces two more accusations by the Medical Board of California.

One involves Matory’s treatment of a 64-year-old patient identified only as “B.J.” who initially underwent liposuction of her abdomen, flanks, thighs, lower back, neck and face.

According to the accusation, the patient suffered postoperative symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, weakness and inability to swallow. Matory failed to note, order tests for or treat any of the problems, according to the accusation. Eight days later, unhappy with her treatment, B.J. saw a different doctor, who admitted her to the hospital, where she had a blood transfusion and was found to have a large hiatal hernia and ulcerated esophagus.

The other accusation was filed in the case of patient “T.C.,” a 35-year-old woman who underwent a bilateral breast augmentation on Nov. 8, 1995. During the procedure, according to the accusation, Matory twice perforated the skin of the left breast with the laser, burning the skin, muscle and other tissue.

Postoperative complications and pain resulted, according to the accusation. The wound had a staph infection, but Matory failed to remove the implants until two months after the original surgery, causing additional complications and pain, according to the accusation.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Richard Hendlin, who prosecuted Matory in the case involving the death of patient Judy Fernandez, said it is unclear what will happen to the two pending accusations.

“Obviously, it would be somewhat moot to proceed” while Matory’s license is revoked, he said.

But, he said, the cases could be labeled inactive and kept on the books. Then, if Matory applies to have his license reinstated--which he can do in three years--the cases “would still exist and one would want the [medical quality] board to know that [the Fernandez case] was not an isolated case,” Hendlin said.