Ohio plastic surgeon Bryan Michelow, MD, FACS, is at fault for a surgical fire that caused second-degree burns to the face and neck of patient Lauren Wargo, according to the verdict of a malpractice lawsuit stemming from a mole removal gone wrong.

During the procedure performed on Dec. 18, 2006, at the Zeeba Surgery Center in Cleveland, Dr. Michelow activated an electrocautery device near a mole on the patient???s right eyebrow without first warning the anesthesia provider, who failed to turn off the supplemental oxygen, according to the law firm representing Ms. Wargo. The miscommunication sparked a fire around the oxygen facemask she wore, notes the firm.

The lawsuit claimed Dr. Michelow was negligent in not warning the anesthesia provider. Dr. Michelow, meanwhile, blamed the anesthesia provider for failing to recognize that he was about to trigger the device. The jury placed full responsibility for the mishap on Dr. Michelow.

According to Ms. Wargo???s lawyers, Dr. Michelow must pay their client $872,000 in damages and an additional $425,000 in punitive damages because he initially failed to reveal the true cause of the fire to her and her parents.

—Daniel Cook