Doctor Faces Murder Charge in OxyContin Case
July 31, 2001
Denis Deonarine, a Florida doctor, has been charged with first-degree murder, racketeering and trafficking a controlled substance in the OxyContin overdose death of one of his patients. Michael Labzda, 21, of Jupiter, Florida, died on February 8, 2001, from an overdose of the painkiller that was prescribed by the doctor. If convicted, Deonarine faces life in prison without parole or possibly the death penalty.
State Attorney Barry Krischer said other defendants would likely be charged. Assistant State Attorney Barbara Burns admitted the case may be tough to prove because alcohol and other drugs were also found in Labzda's body, indicating he may have had an unrelated drug problem.
Labzda's family filed a civil suit against Deonarine; OxyContin's manufacturer, Purdue Pharma; and the pharmacy that filled his OxyContin prescription.
Following a string of recent overdose deaths, the Food & Drug Administration strengthened the warnings and precautions section on the drug's label. OxyContin is popular on the black market as abusers get a heroin-like high from the drug.
Earlier this year, Deonarine was charged with improperly prescribing OxyContin and defrauding Medicare of $67,000. Several doctors across the country are facing manslaughter charges in cases similar to Donarine's.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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