Plastic Surgeon Charged with Manslaughter in Wife's Death During Procedure

The Death of Hillary Brown

• 💔 Hillary Brown, a 33-year-old mother of three, died on November 21, 2023, after suffering complications during a plastic surgery procedure.
• 🩺 Her husband, Dr. Ben Brown, a plastic surgeon, was performing multiple procedures on her at their clinic, Restore Plastic Surgery, when she began to seize.

Emergency Response and Allegations

• 🚨 Staff members at the clinic called 911, reporting Hillary was having seizures and was unstable during abdominal lipo and fat transfer procedures.
• 🚑 Initial 911 calls reveal staff distress and confusion, with one call noting the patient was not breathing and CPR was being performed.
• 🗣️ Audio from the scene suggests Dr. Brown may have been shouting and potentially delaying the call to 911, wanting to handle the situation himself.

Medical Negligence Claims

• 💉 Employees reported that Dr. Brown allegedly injected Hillary with undiluted lidocaine and other substances into her face after she complained of blurry vision and swelling.
• ⚠️ Witnesses stated Hillary convulsed for 10-15 minutes before 911 was called, and that a crash cart was not present.
• 💊 It's alleged that Hillary had taken numerous medications, including Valium and Gabapentin, prior to the procedure, and that she had prepared her own IV bags.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

• 🔍 Detectives noted that while multiple staff were present, the situation was unusual due to the husband operating on his wife.
• ⚖️ Dr. Ben Brown faces a charge of manslaughter by culpable negligence and has pleaded not guilty.
• 🏥 His medical license has an emergency restriction from the Florida Department of Health, and Restore Plastic Surgery has permanently closed.

Legal Defense and Trial Considerations

• 👨‍⚖️ Dr. Brown's attorney is seeking to have him present during depositions, citing his medical expertise to assist in the defense.
• 🧐 The defense may argue that Dr. Brown lost his spouse and is not an intentional perpetrator, potentially garnering sympathy from a conservative jury.
• 📈 The prosecution will likely focus on the alleged negligence, including the failure to call 911 promptly, lack of proper equipment, and continuing injections despite signs of overdose.