A UCLA psychiatrist is facing allegations of medical negligence, fraud and “intentional infliction of emotional distress,” the Associated Press reported today.
A lawsuit, filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that Dr. Alexander Bystritsky, a psychiatrist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA, is responsible for the death of former model and philanthropist Phyllis Harvey, who died last year.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Phyllis Harvey’s husband, Brian Harvey, alleges that Bystritsky caused Phyllis Harvey’s death by giving a “dangerous combination of drugs” to her while she was under Bystritsky’s treatment. Phyllis Harvey had previously been taken off her medications by emergency room doctors after being hospitalized for heart abnormalities, the Associated Press reported. Bystritsky however, allegedly resumed prescribing the drugs, which are known to alter heart rhythm, after Phyllis Harvey was discharged.
Brian Harvey alleges in the lawsuit that Bystritsky convinced Phyllis Harvey to give him $490,000 so he could continue his research on a new device that could potentially cure her, the Associated Press reported. Phyllis Harvey’s donation was made while she was still under Bystritsky’s treatment, which included high doses of pyschotropic drugs.
Phone messages to Bystritsky and his lawyer by the Associated Press were not returned.
The lawsuit also names the UC Board of Regents, which the suit claims sent notes to Phyllis Harvey thanking her for her donations, the Associated Press reported. Experts told the Associated Press this suit has raised questions over the ethics of accepting donations from a patient.
Compiled by Jillian Beck and Fiona Kirby, Bruin senior staff.