Former spine surgery patients in Walla Walla and Spokane may soon be eligible for payments of at least $2,000 under proposed class-action settlements totaling $155.5 million. Providence and MultiCare Health System agreed to the deals to resolve lawsuits over surgeries performed by neurosurgeon Dr. Jason Dreyer and, at Providence, Dr. Daniel Elskens, Becker's Hospital Review reported.
For thousands of patients and families in Eastern Washington, the settlements offer a path to compensation without the cost and delay of a trial. The lawsuits allege that Dreyer performed unnecessary spine surgeries to boost his productivity. Both settlements still need court approval, and no payments have been made yet.
