Expert under Investigation for Allegedly Diagnosing Asbestosis, Silicosis for Money

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on October 15, 2007

Mississippi doctor Jay T. Segarra was regarded as a model expert by Texas Federal District Judge Janis Jack in 2005, when many medical screening companies were under investigation for diagnosing the rare lung diseases for profit instead of medical reasons.

Jack hailed Segarra’s 60- to 90-minute diagnosis examination procedure, which included performing physicals and X-rays and reviewing a patient’s medical history, as the gold standard that other practitioners should follow.

But now the doctor is being investigated for failing to adhere to his own guidelines on more than 700 occasions. Last month, defendants in a major Philadelphia asbestos case filed a motion asking the court to disregard all testimony from the doctor.

According to the motion, Segarra made more than $10 million diagnosing asbestosis and/or silicosis for patients by improperly examining their medical records.

A recent New York Times article stated that he participated in more than 40,000 positive asbestosis and/or silicosis diagnoses in the past 13 years, an amount that pulmonary experts agree is extremely unlikely for any specialist.

Records show some days the doctor even diagnosed 30 to 50 people, which would have been impossible had full 60- to 90-minute exams been performed.

Dr. Segarra and his lawyers have not yet commented on or replied to the court motion.

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