Class Action Commenced against Toronto Psychiatrist for Over-prescribing Narcotics

From: http://psychiatrybuster.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/class-action-commenced-against-toronto-psychiatrist-for-over-prescribing-narcotics/

 

Class action commenced against Toronto Psychiatrist for Over-prescribing Narcotics

 

From: “angela bischoff” <greenspi@web.ca>

Date: September 10, 2008 10:09:30 PM EDT (CA)

To: can-survive@lists.riseup.net

Subject: [can-survive] Class Action Commenced against Toronto Psychiatrist for Over-prescribing Narcotics

Reply-To: can-survive@lists.riseup.net

 

Class Action Commenced against Toronto Psychiatrist for Over-prescribing Narcotics

TORONTO, Sept. 10 /CNW/ -

On August 12, 2008, the law firm of Rochon Genova LLP issued a class proceeding against Dr. Eddie Kingstone, a Toronto psychiatrist. The claim alleges that between 1996 and 2006, Dr. Kingstone negligently prescribed his patients medications including narcotics, benzodiazepines, and anti-psychotics in combinations and dosages which he knew or ought to have known would lead to drug dependency and addiction.

The claim has been filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.

The proposed Representative Plaintiff, Dianne Moore, was a successful account executive for a major corporation prior to becoming a patient of Dr. Kingstone. Ms. Moore alleges that after she became a patient of Dr. Kingstone, he treated her with medications, including narcotics, benzodiazepines, and anti-psychotics. As a result of Dr. Kingstone’s treatment, Ms. Moore alleges that she developed a serious and life-threatening drug dependency and addiction to those medications.

Ms. Moore brings this action on her behalf and on behalf of all other patients of Dr. Kingstone for whom he prescribed various medications, including narcotics between 1996 and 2006.

Ms. Moore said, “This lawsuit will hopefully help several hundred

patients regain some part of their lives which they lost to drug dependency and addiction. I hope this will be a message to Dr. Kingstone and other doctors about the dangers of over-prescribing these medications and the harmful effects on their patients.”

Susan M. Vella and Patricia A. LeFebour of Rochon Genova LLP are lead counsel for the Plaintiff in this proposed class proceeding. Ms. Vella stated,

“Through the courage of Ms. Moore, we are hopeful that other patients of Dr. Kingstone will come forward to be a part of this class proceeding.

Addiction and drug dependency are terrible hurdles for these patients to overcome. A class action is the most effective way for these patients to obtain access to justice in reclaiming their lives and to alter the behaviour of physicians who prescribe these medications.”

In 2006, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario found that Dr. Kingstone committed acts of professional misconduct in relation to his prescribing of narcotics, and controlled drugs and substances to 23 patients.

The allegations raised in the claim have not yet been proven in court.

The plaintiff and the prospective class members are represented by the Toronto based law firm of Rochon Genova LLP.

For further information: Rochon Genova LLP, 121 Richmond St. W, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2K1, Telephone: (416) 363-1867 or toll-free:

1-866-881-2292, Website address: www.rochongenova.com