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Doc Sued for Talking on Cell Phone During Surgery (Journal News Group)

— Woman says surgeon was taking Spanish proficiency test while operating on her

MedpageToday

A suburban New York woman sued a surgeon who she said talked on his cell phone while performing a procedure on her varicose veins, according to , part of the USA Today Network's Journal News group.

Her lawsuit alleged that the surgeon, Eric Fishman, MD, told her he was taking a Spanish proficiency exam and that the only time he had for it was during her surgery.

The 70-year-old woman, who was awake during the procedure, claims to have suffered emotional distress. Said her attorney, "She was in absolute terror during the operation." Lohud.com said that Fishman did not return phone calls and a spokeswoman for his practice declined to comment.