California Suits Claim Docs Bribed, Used Unsafe Spine Screws

A former Southern California hospital executive is being sued by more than two dozen people who claim he ran a scheme that bribed surgeons to implant counterfeit screws in their patients’ spines, causing pain and injury.

Twenty-eight fraud and negligence lawsuits were filed Friday in Los Angeles, joining several earlier suits.

They claim that Michael Drobot, several doctors and hospitals and a Temecula machine shop took part in a scheme to make and implant cheap, unapproved and unsafe spinal fusion screws and bill insurers at inflated prices.

Attorney Brian Kabateck says there may be thousands of victims.

Drobot – the former owner of Pacific Hospital in Long Beach – pleaded guilty in April to paying doctor kickbacks. He’s also acknowledged bribing state Sen. Ron Calderon, who’s facing corruption charges.