Espino Malpractice Investigation

Investigation Into Breast Surgery Performed by Dr. Sasa Grae Espino in the Richmond Area

Lantz & Robins is currently reviewing potential medical malpractice claims involving breast surgeries performed by Dr. Sasa Grae Espino in the Richmond, Virginia area.

Several women contacted our firm with concerns about surgeries they underwent after seeking treatment for issues such as implant complications, breast cancer concerns, or breast cancer risk evaluation. In some cases, patients now question whether the procedures recommended to them were medically necessary.

What Our Investigation Is Examining

Medical Necessity & Informed Consent

Medical malpractice cases involving surgical care often require careful review by multiple experts. At this stage, our firm is examining whether patients were given the information necessary to make informed decisions about significant surgical procedures.

Our investigation is focused on questions such as:

• Whether certain breast surgeries were medically indicated
• Whether patients were informed of non-surgical alternatives or monitoring options
• Whether cancer risk assessments and diagnostic results were explained clearly
• Whether patients were encouraged to seek second opinions before undergoing major surgery
• Whether reconstructive procedures were performed by surgeons with appropriate training and credentials

Each case must be evaluated individually. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether accepted standards of medical care were followed.

Preventative Double Mastectomy Concerns

Protecting Patients’ Rights

Some women who contacted our firm report undergoing preventative double mastectomies after being advised they faced a significant risk of developing breast cancer.

Preventative mastectomy can be appropriate in certain situations, particularly when patients have specific genetic mutations or other documented risk factors. Because the procedure is permanent and involves removal of healthy tissue, physicians are expected to carefully evaluate medical evidence and fully explain available options before recommending surgery.

In several cases currently under review, patients later questioned whether the information they received about their cancer risk and treatment options was complete.

These questions require detailed review by independent medical professionals.

Below the surface

When Unnecessary Surgery May Be Medical Malpractice

Not every surgical complication is malpractice. Surgery carries risks, and some outcomes cannot be predicted.

However, legal claims may arise when a physician:

• Recommends removing healthy tissue without sufficient medical basis
• Fails to explain reasonable alternatives
• Does not clearly communicate risks and expected outcomes
• Performs procedures outside accepted standards of care

These questions can only be answered after a detailed review of medical records and consultation with qualified medical experts.

Patients sometimes begin asking questions when they learn that another physician would have recommended a different course of treatment or when complications require repeated corrective surgeries.

Breast reconstruction procedures are often technically complex and may require specialized training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Determining whether a complication resulted from surgical risk or substandard care requires careful analysis of medical records and expert review.

If you were treated by Dr. Espino at the Richmond Breast Center and have concerns about the care you received, speaking with an attorney experienced in medical malpractice cases may help you understand your options.

Secondary medical Procedures

Reports of Additional Surgical Procedures

Some patients have also reported being offered additional procedures, including abdominal surgery sometimes described as a “tummy tuck,” during the course of treatment for breast reconstruction complications.

Our firm is reviewing these reports as part of a broader effort to understand the circumstances surrounding certain surgical recommendations and whether patients received clear explanations before consenting to treatment.

As with all medical malpractice claims, the focus of our review is whether patients received accurate information and whether the care provided met accepted standards.

If you are now facing additional reconstruction procedures or corrective surgery after prior treatment, you may benefit from discussing your case with an attorney experienced in catastrophic injury and medical negligence cases.

Trial Experience Makes the Difference

How Lantz & Robins Handles Complex Medical Malpractice Cases

We’ve tried these cases. Michael Lantz and Randolph Robins have spent months in front of juries handling medical malpractice and catastrophic injury claims. We’ve cross-examined defense experts, presented complex medical evidence, and secured verdicts and settlements in cases other firms declined, including:

• A $1.5 million jury verdict for a woman who lost her fertility after post-surgical negligence
• A $2.1 million settlement in an anesthesia death case another firm had turned down
• A $1.65 million settlement for a patient who developed short gut syndrome after a surgeon ignored signs of bowel injury

We select cases carefully. Medical malpractice litigation is expensive. We only pursue cases where the negligence is clear, the harm is serious, and we believe we can make a meaningful difference.

We invest in our cases. We work with board-certified physicians and specialists who can review records, identify standard-of-care violations, and testify credibly. We’ve handled cases involving obstetric emergencies, surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, delayed diagnosis, nursing home neglect, and hospital-acquired infections. We know how to build the evidence needed to prove these claims.

We don’t run a volume practice. We limit our caseload so we can give each case the attention it requires. That means spending time with clients in hospitals, at home, and through long recoveries. It means being available when you have questions and keeping you informed about what’s happening and why.

Defense lawyers and insurers know our reputation. When they see our names on a case, they know we’re prepared to go to trial. That changes how they approach settlement negotiations. We’ve earned respect in Virginia’s legal community by doing the work and getting results.

Breast Reconstruction Complications Reported by Patients