The Medical Board of California claims that the doctor of Nadya Suleman (who is referred to as Octomom), was grossly negligent by allowing Ms. Suleman to continue fertility treatments over the span of 11 years which resulted in the birth of her 14 children. According to the LA Times, Dr. Michael Kamrava is accused by the state medical board of creating a “stockpile” of unused frozen embryos and failing to assess the mental health of Ms. Suleman.

The complaint by the state medical board was filed before the Medical Board of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs. The complaint details counts of gross negligence for the number of embryos transferred into Ms. Suleman. According to the complaint, the standard number of embryos that are typically transferred is two. Mr. Kamrava allegedly exceeded that limit on seven different dates. The complaint’s second cause for discipline centers around his alleged “stockpile” of frozen embryos that had “no clinical purpose”. The third cause of discipline is for allegedly failing to refer Ms. Suleman for a mental health evaluation. The board accuses Dr. Kamrava of failing to exercise “appropriate judgment” and failing to question Ms. Suleman’s actions, which the board claims went beyond social norms.

Dr. Kamrava is taking the action very seriously. Dr. Kamrava’s attorney told the LA Times: “It’s a very traumatic thing for him to go through this very public episode and scrutiny, starting with the public opprobrium and culminating now in the state board action.”

However, Dr. Kamrava maintains through his attorney that his actions were not negligent because he was following his patient’s wishes. Dr. Kamrava’s attorney told the LA Times, “The question is – and society may not approve – but if it’s satisfactory between patient and physician, that is something to be weighed very significantly.”

This is not the first time that Dr. Kamrava has encountered criticism from his peers. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine expelled him in September. Criticism of Nadya Suleman filled media outlets after she conceived the octopulets because she was single, unemployed and already had 6 children. The criticism soon turned into an investigation of her fertility doctor. 

Related Resources:

  • 3rd Party Guardianship Petition OK in “Octo-mom” Case (Findlaw’s Law and Daily Life)
  • Octuplets Mom, Nadya Suleman, Under Harsh Scrutiny but Her Doctor Now Under Investigation (Findlaw’s Common Law)
  • Artificial Conception: Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization  (Findlaw)
  • Medical Malpractice Overview (provided by Charles G. Monnett III & Associates)
  • Example Medical Malpractice Cases (provided by Biancheria & Maliver P.C.)

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