$100M for botched circumcision—has this doctor’s 33-year reign of terror finally come to an end?
Key Takeaways
Dr. Berto Lopez allegedly performed a circumcision that severed a third of a baby’s penis just 10 days after the Florida Board of Medicine voted to revoke his license.
Over his 33-year career, Dr. Lopez was linked to 14 serious malpractice cases, including six patient deaths, and continued practicing due to delays in license enforcement.
A Palm Beach County jury recently awarded $100 million to the family of a baby whose circumcision ended in catastrophic injury, marking the latest (and, hopefully, final) chapter in the troubling career of Florida OB/GYN Dr. Berto Lopez.[]
This staggering verdict has drawn attention to Dr. Lopez's history of alleged malpractice, which includes six patient deaths.
Botched circumcision and a legal reckoning
In 2021, the Florida Board of Medicine voted to revoke Dr. Lopez’s medical license due to his involvement in the death of a mother under his care in 2017. Ten days after the Board voted to revoke his license, Dr. Lopez performed a circumcision on a baby boy (identified as Baby G.L.).
The procedure turned tragic when Dr. Lopez severed a significant portion of the baby’s penis, including the urethra. Jurors in the malpractice trial were presented with graphic images and testimonies, including the family's account of the ordeal, and ultimately awarded the baby’s family $100 million.
Attorney Gary Cohen, who represented the family, described the child’s injury as a "bleeding, scabby mess."[] The parents testified that Dr. Lopez failed to disclose his pending license revocation before the procedure and dismissed their concerns during the botched surgery. The family brought their son to the emergency room the following day and were sent to a pediatric urologist, who expressed shock at the extent of the injury.
A pattern of negligence
Dr. Lopez’s malpractice record extends far beyond this case. During his 33-year career, Dr. Lopez faced at least 14 serious allegations, including claims of injuries and deaths. According to court records and investigations, his actions have been linked to the following:
Six patient deaths, including an 18-year-old mother who died in the 1990s and a 31-year-old woman whose incomplete miscarriage led to devastating complications.
Severe injuries to infants, including permanent disabilities resulting from delayed cesarean sections.
Botched surgeries, including punctured organs and improperly performed procedures that led to life-threatening complications.
These cases highlight a disturbing trend of preventable harm under Dr. Lopez’s care, often involving underserved patients relying on Medicaid.
The death of Onystei Castillo-Lopez
One of the most egregious cases involved 40-year-old Onystei Castillo-Lopez, who died in 2017 from postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth.
Dr. Lopez, restricted by the state Board of Medicine at the time, attempted to repair cervical tears in a hospital suite rather than an operating room. His failure to perform a necessary hysterectomy led to her death, according to a complaint. Dr. Lopez also failed to inform Castillo-Lopez and her husband of the restrictions placed on his license.
Castillo-Lopez’s death was a pivotal moment, prompting the Florida Board of Medicine to revoke Dr. Lopez’s license. However, a delay in the enforcement of this revocation allowed him to continue practicing and perform the circumcision that ultimately led to the $100 million verdict.
Dr. Lopez’s history paints a picture of systemic failures in oversight and enforcement. Despite numerous lawsuits and disciplinary actions, he continued to practice for decades, often with devastating consequences. His actions have sparked calls for stricter regulatory measures to protect patients from similarly negligent practitioners.