Family of Patient Who Died Sues Haysville Osteopath, Others

By Ron Sylvester, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

Nov. 12–Kandace Bible had been convicted of possessing illegal drugs, but her family claims she died from narcotics she took by prescription.

This week they filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Schneider Medical Clinic — the second claiming malpractice since federal authorities searched the clinic’s Haysville offices in September.

A clinic spokeswoman Friday said owner Stephen Schneider has retained nationally known lawyer David Schippers to represent him in any criminal charges that may arise. Schippers, a former organized-crime prosecutor, served as chief counsel for Congress in the impeachment of President Clinton. Legal counsel for the malpractice suits will be assigned by the osteopath’s malpractice insurance company.

The spokeswoman said the clinic would not comment further on the cases.

Both lawsuits claim Schneider’s clinic negligently prescribed narcotics and painkillers to patients.

The new suit contends that Bible, 42, died Nov. 14, 2003, of a deadly combination of prescription painkillers.

“Her medical records reflect she shouldn’t have received narcotics in the quantities she did,” lawyer Larry Wall said. “She was no angel, but her troubled past should have been taken into consideration by Dr. Schneider when he was writing these prescriptions.”

Schneider, Donna St. Clair, another doctor who worked at the clinic, and two physician assistants are named in the lawsuit.

Bible made headlines in 1997 over her marriage to a Sedgwick County sheriff’s officer, for whom she’d served as a drug informant. Bible was convicted twice on drug charges in 1988.

The officer was demoted for violating a conflict of interest policy, and Bible told The Eagle that she had run the Grand Expectations escort service in Wichita following the breakup of her marriage. At the time, she said the business served as a front for prostitution.

Another former patient sued Schneider and a Wichita pharmacy in late September. Lacie Flickinger, 22, is claiming Schneider recklessly prescribed narcotics to her. She claims she became addicted and suffered kidney damage as a result.

Wall and Andy Hutton, Flickinger’s lawyer, say they have more clients who are preparing to sue Schneider’s clinic.

But Schneider also has vocal boosters. A group calling itself Supporters of Schneider held a barbecue last month, which it called “an extended family picnic.”

Schneider treats many patients on Medicaid, a government insurance program covering low-income people, for pain management.

Because of investigations into his prescribing practices, Medicaid officials in Kansas are trying to revoke his authorization to receive reimbursements. Schneider is fighting that action in court.

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