Family of local organ donor, who died of excessive drugs, settles with hospital

Family of local organ donor, who died of excessive drugs, settles with Sierra Vista Hospital

Oct 11, 2007 06:27 PM

Reported by: Amy Andrews

CENTRAL COAST

The family of the local man, who died when a doctor gave him high doses of morphine, after he was identified as an organ donor candidate, has settled with Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.

26-year-old Rueben Navarro died at the hospital earlier this year.

Transplant surgeon Hootan Roozrokh is accused of three felonies in connection with what happened in the hours before his death.

Navarro's family filed a civil lawsuit against Dr. Roozrokh, his partner, Sierra Vista and Permanente Medical Group.

Yesterday, a $250,000 settlement was reached with the hospital.

"Sierra Vista has taken steps to address the negligence that was there and has stepped up to the plate and acknowledged its responsibility and reached this settlement," said Kevin D. Chaffin, Rosie Navarro's lawyer.

Sierra Vista told Action News it entered into the settlement with Ruben Navarro's mother in an effort to put the incident behind them and hopefully allow her healing process to begin.

The criminal case against Dr. Roozrokh is ongoing.

http://www.ksby.com/global/story.asp?s=7202777