Provide names of other journalists involved.
Milton D. Carrero
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
11-May-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
This is one of those stories where you can see the impact of the media in people’s lives. Steve Lorenz is one of thousands who received defective metal-on-metal implants. He was living with excruciating pain when his wife contacted the newspaper. She was concerned for his well-being and frustrated with scores of surgeons who refused to see her husband, afraid of being pulled into a lawsuit. One of those surgeons was Dr. Leo Scarpino. He had refused to see Lorenz, but changed his mind when we contacted him for an interview. During the conversation he said that surgeons should not shy away from helping these patients, no matter how risky or difficult. After the story ran, Scarpino was forced to live up to his words. He has become the one surgeon helping these patients in the area. Lorenz received two revision surgeries and is well now.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I examined documents from the FDA and worldwide complaints of defective metal-on-metal implants. I also compared Lorenz’s case with others who had filed lawsuits in our coverage area.
Explain types of human sources used.
This story was based on extensive interviews over several months with the subject, their family members, friends, nurses and physicians.
Results:
Lorenz and several other local patients have received surgery revisions and are no longer living in pain.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
N/A
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Allow a story to grow with time. People will clarify themselves or even prove themselves wrong if they have the time to reflect on their situation. The depth that made these stories work is only achieved with patience and perseverance.