Dr. Javaid Perwaiz, a once-renowned OB-GYN, is already serving a 59-year federal prison sentence after being convicted for running a scheme in which he allegedly performed unnecessary medical procedures on hundreds of women, billing insurance companies for millions of dollars. The lawsuit claims that these actions were not just isolated incidents but part of a deliberate and systematic scheme that lasted decades, all designed to increase the hospital’s profits at the expense of vulnerable women.
A Scheme Fueled by Greed
For years, Dr. Perwaiz was entrusted with the care of women at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, where he became known for his aggressive approach to obstetrics and gynecology. The lawsuit alleges that Perwaiz’s pattern of behavior was not only tolerated but enabled by the hospital, whose leadership prioritized revenue over patient care. Women who had trusted the doctor for their medical care found themselves subjected to surgeries that were medically unnecessary, often without their informed consent.
The plaintiffs claim that Perwaiz performed C-sections on women who could have delivered vaginally, sterilizations that were not required, and hysterectomies on patients who were not in need of the procedure. According to the lawsuit, he often induced labor early and scheduled surgeries at times that were more convenient for him, rather than based on the health needs of his patients. This led to a high number of premature births, so many, in fact, that the neonatal unit began to refer to the pattern as the “Perwaiz Special.”
The lawsuit states that the hospital ignored numerous internal warnings about Perwaiz’s practices over the years. Multiple nurses and physicians reported concerns about his methods, including altered consent forms and procedures being added after patients had already been put under anesthesia. In some cases, patients were not informed of additional procedures, such as the removal of ovaries, until after they had been sedated, rendering them unable to provide consent.
The plaintiffs describe their experiences as not just medical malpractice but an assault on their bodies. “He stole my ability to choose what happened to my own body,” said one of the plaintiffs, who is seeking justice in the lawsuit. “I trusted him and the hospital, and they both betrayed me.” Many of the women involved in the lawsuit are now grappling with the physical and emotional consequences of these procedures, including chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, and the trauma of not having been fully informed about the surgeries that were performed on them.
The Role of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is at the heart of the lawsuit, with plaintiffs accusing the hospital’s leadership of turning a blind eye to Perwaiz’s actions. According to the lawsuit, the hospital’s executives were well aware of the complaints and warnings about Perwaiz’s practices but chose not to intervene. The hospital, which relied on the revenue generated by Perwaiz’s surgeries, is accused of routinely allowing him to continue performing unnecessary and harmful procedures, despite multiple reports from concerned staff members.
The lawsuit claims that the hospital ignored the warnings from doctors and nurses who voiced concerns about the doctor’s behavior. In one instance, a nurse reported that it felt like “an assault on the patient” when the patient had not truly consented to losing her ovaries, a procedure that was often performed without clear explanation or agreement. Despite these reports, Perwaiz continued to work at the hospital, and his surgeries continued without sufficient oversight or review.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the hospital’s leadership was complicit in creating a system that prioritized profit over patient safety, with Perwaiz’s surgeries driving substantial revenue for the hospital. By allowing the doctor to continue practicing unchecked, they claim that the hospital enabled him to harm hundreds of women while reaping the financial rewards.
A Culture of Silence
As the lawsuit details, there was a culture of silence within the hospital that allowed Perwaiz to continue his malpractice unchecked for so long. Many of the women involved in the case describe feeling pressured to accept procedures they did not fully understand or consent to. One plaintiff recalled how her consent forms were altered without her knowledge, and she was later told that a procedure had been added after she was already under anesthesia. For many of these women, the realization that they had been subjected to these surgeries without their full consent has left them devastated and angry.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim that the hospital’s internal culture fostered an environment where medical professionals were afraid to speak out, knowing that doing so could harm their careers. Several nurses and physicians who tried to raise concerns about Perwaiz were allegedly ignored, and their complaints were dismissed. “Everyone knew something was wrong, and they still let him keep cutting,” one woman said in the complaint.
The lawsuit also claims that Perwaiz’s actions were not an isolated instance but part of a broader pattern of negligence and misconduct that extended throughout the hospital. The plaintiffs argue that the hospital’s leadership was complicit in these actions and should be held accountable for allowing such a disturbing and dangerous situation to continue for years.
The Legal Ramifications
The lawsuit is one of the largest medical malpractice cases in recent history, with more than 500 women seeking justice and compensation for the physical and emotional toll of Perwaiz’s actions. Each plaintiff is seeking approximately $10 million in damages, arguing that the hospital’s gross negligence and Perwaiz’s actions have caused them lifelong suffering.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of medical malpractice, particularly in cases where profit motives seem to take precedence over patient care. Legal experts believe this case could set a precedent for future lawsuits involving medical professionals who perform unnecessary procedures for financial gain. “This is not just about what happened to these women,” one attorney said. “This case is about holding hospitals and healthcare providers accountable when they put profit ahead of patient safety.”
A Call for Justice
As the lawsuit continues to unfold, the women involved are calling for justice not just for themselves but for all victims of medical malpractice. “We trusted him. We trusted the hospital,” one plaintiff said. “They betrayed us, and now we want them to be held accountable for what they did to us.”
For many of the women involved, the case is not just about money; it’s about regaining control over their bodies and demanding accountability from the healthcare system. “What they did to me can never be undone,” said another plaintiff. “But I want them to know that what they did to me and to all of us was wrong, and I won’t stop fighting until justice is served.”
The case is expected to continue for months, and it is likely to draw more attention to the issue of medical malpractice and the role of hospitals in enabling abusive practices. The plaintiffs, who have been left scarred by their experiences, are determined to ensure that their voices are heard and that no other women will have to suffer the same fate.
The Impact on the Community
As the case progresses, it has sparked a larger conversation about the need for greater oversight of medical professionals and healthcare institutions. Patients and advocates alike are calling for stronger regulations and more stringent checks on the practices of doctors and hospitals to prevent situations like this from happening again.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center has remained largely silent, but the community’s outrage is palpable. Many locals are questioning how such a situation could have been allowed to go on for so long and are calling for greater transparency within the healthcare system. The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the rights of patients and the responsibility of healthcare institutions to ensure that they are not exploited by unscrupulous medical professionals.
As these brave women continue their legal fight, they are not just seeking compensation—they are fighting to ensure that the healthcare system becomes a safer and more accountable place for all patients.