Malpractice trial for former Duluth surgeon to begin

A case accusing a former St. Luke’s neurosurgeon of malpractice is scheduled to go to trial today in Stillwater.

Stefan Konasiewicz, who practiced in Duluth from 1997 to 2008, performed a brain biopsy on Duluth resident Alan Meinershagen in 2006 that caused a cerebral hemorrhage. Meinershagen alleges that the cerebral hemorrhage led to seizures, severe cerebral dysfunction and brain injuries, according to lawsuit records.

Meinershagen, now 88, told the News Tribune in May that he couldn’t walk again after the surgery.

The trial was moved from Duluth to Stillwater because of concerns about jurors being prejudiced by previous news coverage of Kona­siewicz, said Meinershagen’s attorney, Richard Bosse.

Konasiewicz has had nine malpractice cases filed against him during his time at St. Luke’s. Since 2002, the first time Konasiewicz was sued for malpractice, no other Duluth physician has been sued more times by patients alleging medical harm.

Only one other of Konasiewicz’s malpractice cases went to trial, in which Konasiewicz won. Five of those cases settled before going to trial, in which Konasiewicz and St. Luke’s paid out more than $3 million. In addition to Meinershagen, two cases are still open.

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