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Dr. Red Alinsod Sued for Carving Name Into Woman's Uterus

By Tanya Roth, Esq. on September 15, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Ingrid Paulicivic feels burned. But not as burned as her gynecologist, Dr. Red Alinsod, is going to feel when he has his attorney look at the contents of the lawsuit filed by Paulicivic and her husband. It seems Dr. Red was goofing around a bit during an operation to remove Paulicivic's uterus. This is something it is doubtful they recommend in med school, and for good reason. Dr. Alison allegedly decided to engrave the removed organ with the name "Ingrid" so it 'wouldn't get mixed up with the others.' A novel idea, except for the burns on her leg that allegedly resulted and the completely horrified response from the organ's former owner.

CNN reports this type of "branding" is not common, but Dr. Red thought it would be a "gesture of friendship." Paulicivic and husband discovered the artwork on a follow up visit to the doctor's office. According to the report, after complaining of the burns on Paulicivic's legs, the couple was shown pictures of the removed organ proudly emblazoned with "Ingrid."

The good doctor might be facing a whole 'nother set of issues if he had inscribed the organ while still in the patient, but as it is, according to the report of the incident by Britain's Daily Mail Online, the plaintiff's lawyer calls Doc Red's behavior, 'inexcusably bizarre,' adding that the 50-year-old Dr. Alinsod was 'fooling around and having fun'. All most likely true, but was it against the law?

If the burns Ingrid Paulicivic suffered on her legs were the result of the medically unnecessary action by her doctor, the Paulicivics may have the makings of a medical malpractice suit and could possibly recover for the damage caused. However, the loss of consortium portion of the complaint by Ingrid's husband Joe is probably a bridge to far. Loss of consortium is a standard cause of action in many negligence cases (including those against doctors) in which one spouse claims the damages for the loss of "services" and comfort of the other spouse. The plaintiffs will have to link Ingrid's loss of ability to be a companion to her spouse to the inscription of an organ no longer a part of her body, not to the presumably medically necessary operation to remove it.

Dr. Red Alinsod has not yet answered the suit. According to CNN, the doctor's website says he formerly headed gynecologic services at George Air Force Base in California and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and was affectionately called a "Combat Gynecologist" by his colleagues. Bet this is one fight the combat GYN never saw coming.

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