One of the largest medical malpractice cases in Maryland’s history was settled earlier this month for a confidential amount. Nearly 250 patients have settled their civil lawsuits against Dr. Mark Midei and Catholic Health Initiatives, the company who owned St. Joseph’s, accusing the cardiologist of implanting unnecessary heart stents in them. According to The Baltimore Sun, the “settlement could spare years of legal proceedings.”
In 2009, accusations surfaced against Dr. Midei and St. Joseph’s, prompting a federal investigation and hospital review. Probe findings subsequently revealed that Dr. Midei had allegedly implanted unnecessary stents in “hundreds of cases” between 2007 and 2009. While Dr. Midei allegedly profited from these procedures, the patients say they are suffering long-term health complications from medications that are often required after the procedure.
Stents are mesh tubes that are implanted to treat narrow or weak arteries and to help increase blood flow to the heart. Many health experts agree that patients should be eligible for stents if they have more than a 70 percent blockage. However, attorneys representing the plaintiffs said that medical records revealed Dr. Midei put stents in patients with a 20 – 30 percent blockage. Furthermore, he allegedly told these same patients that they had an 80 – 95 percent blockage. Jay Miller, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, explains that Dr. Midei’s alleged fraud is similar in every case: “There was a lie perpetrated against the people.”
In November 2009, Dr. Midei resigned from St. Joseph and his medical license was revoked in 2011. Dr. Midei filed a $60 million defamation lawsuit against Catholic Health Initiatives, but the Baltimore County Circuit Court dismissed the case in 2012. However, the Baltimore Sun reports that the defamation lawsuit is now before the state’s second-highest court.
Jay Miller represents 247 former patients of Dr. Midei, all of whom are included in the confidential settlement. Although approximately 45 civil suits remain, this settlement cannot be used as evidence for future litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions

When most people think of medical malpractice, they think of doctors. Perhaps the surgeon made a mistake during a procedure or the physician prescribed the wrong medication and made a patient sick. However, doctors are not the only healthcare professionals that can be liable for medical malpractice. Nurses, anesthesiologists, or other healthcare providers can be
Read More
More than 130 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that at least 40 percent of these fatalities are from prescribed opioids, such as OxyContin and Vicodin. In response to these alarming statistics, many states have imposed
Read More