Christiansens' split won't affect lawsuits
Saturday, September 3, 2005 12:07 AM PDT
By Barbara LaBoe
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe recent divorce filing against Dr. Lance Christiansen should not affect any of the pending malpractice lawsuits against the Toledo osteopath.
Virginia Christiansen, who also is named in several of the suits, filed for divorce Aug. 19. According to the filing, the couple has been separated since June 15 and the 19-year marriage is "irretrievably broken."
Lance Christiansen's medical license was suspended by the state on June 1 after officials alleged his incompetence, over-perscribing of strong narcotics and misdiagnoses injured eight patients -- six of them fatally. He is facing 13 civil malpractice lawsuits, and his Mount St. Helens offices in Toledo, Winlock and Onalaska have closed.
Christiansen, 65, denies the allegations and is appealing the suspension. A hearing is scheduled for early 2006.
Frank Morris, the Olympia lawyer who has filed 11 of the 13 civil lawsuits against Christiansen, said he had heard of the divorce as well as concerns it might shield some of Christiansen's assets. But Morris said as long as the couple was married when the alleged negligent care took place, both parties to the marriage -- and all their marital assets -- are liable for any civil judgments.
That's one of the reasons Virginia Christiansen is named in many of the lawsuits, though Morris also said it was a professional courtesy to ensure she knows she may need legal defense. He added there's no allegation Virginia Christiansen was personally involved in any of the patients' treatment.
Virginia Christiansen's lawyer, Marc Wheeler, refused to comment on the divorce or the couple's assets.
Morris said a bigger concern in cases like this is that someone facing a number of civil suits may try to hide assets, which is illegal but often hard to prove. That's one reason Morris said he likes to file suits as soon as possible, to ensure the defendant and his or her business associates are put on notice.
In the divorce petition, Virginia Christiansen, 60, asks for unspecified alimony and child support. The couple has a 16-year-old daughter as well as an older daughter.
The Christiansens lived near the Toledo airport, but it is unclear who is living there now. Lance Christiansen, in his acknowledgement of receipt, lists a Toledo post office box as his address.
Cases against Toledo doctor on the rise
The state continues to get complaints against suspended Dr. Lance W. Christiansen of Toledo.
As of Thursday, there were 27 open cases being investigated by the state Department of Health. That is on top of the eight cases -- including six patient deaths -- the state investigated before suspending Christiansen's license, and nine more since Aug. 10
Because the cases are open, state officials would not discuss any of the particulars, including whether any of the new complaints include patient deaths. Two of the 13 civil lawsuits filed against Christiansen claim that two additional patients' deaths were hastened by Christiansen's actions.
While the license suspension only involves the eight cases already investigated, officials said the charges may be amended to include evidence discovered in the new investigations.
Anyone interested in filing a complaint can contact the state at (360) 236-4805.
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