By Rick Shapiro, Dangerous Drugs Attorney in Virginia Beach, VA

An Eastern Shore doctor’s professional misconduct case I first wrote about in September 2010 has reached its conclusion a little less than a year later. The Virginian-Pilot reported on August 11, 2011, that Belle Have, Virginia (VA), family physician Dr. Geoffrey Grubb has surrendered his medical license rather than defend himself against allegations that he was irresponsibly prescribing powerful narcotic painkillers.

In my earlier post to this blog, I noted that Grubb specialized in treating patients for a condition called chronic Lyme disease and that his therapeutic approach included giving patients with the tick-borne infection potentially dangerous medications such as OxyContin (oxycodone from Purdue Pharma) and Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen from Abbott Laboratories). Along with the potential issues arising from the fact that few other doctors and medical authorities recognize the existence of chronic Lyme disease, Grubb was accused by the Virginia Medical Board of failing to properly track and report patients’ use of narcotics.

I wrote 11 months ago that I could not know whether the charges against Grubb were warranted. I’ll repeat that disclaimer. What I do know, as personal injury attorney practicing in Virginia Beach and speaking often about the risks patients face when they receive excessive doses of opiate and opioid painkillers, is that if Grubb gave such drugs to patients who did not need them, he had no business being a doctor on Virginia’s Eastern Shore or anywhere else.

Health care is a underserved need on the Eastern Shore, and untreated pain can be truly debilitating. But the use of powerful narcotic medications should be limited and closely monitored.

EJL

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys handle Eastern Shore, Virginia (VA), injury lawsuits. Our lawyers have provided legal advice and representation for thousands of victims of car and truck accidents, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are familiar with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and with the towns along Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague and Wallops Island. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included in the 2011 issue of Best Lawyers in America. They, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper, were also named 2011 Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law, an honor which fewer than 5 percent of outstanding lawyers receive. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included in the 2011 issue of Best Lawyers in America. They, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper, were also named 2011 Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law, an honor which fewer than 5 percent of outstanding lawyers receive. Though not every case meets our criteria, we offer free, confidential initial consultations. Give us a call at (800) 752-0042. If you can’t get through due to high call volume, please leave a message and we will return your call.