Attorney: More Van de Loo Victims

An attorney representing a number of people who have filed medical malpractice lawsuits against a former Eau Claire pediatrician said Wednesday that at least two more civil suits can be expected.

Michael Finnegan, during a motion hearing in Eau Claire County Court, told Judge Michael Schumacher that two more claims would soon be filed against David A. Van de Loo, Mayo Clinic Health System and their insurers.

Finnegan made the statement during a hearing to postpone depositions today of a total of four current or former Mayo employees.

Finnegan said his St. Paul law firm, which represents a number of the nearly 30 former patients suing Van de Loo and Mayo, received 1,700 pages of discovery a week ago from Mayo and received other documents only two days ago.

Mayo attorney Guy DuBeau suggested the plaintiffs had ample time to prepare for the depositions.

Schumacher, after reviewing a brief he received via mail from DuBeau during the hearing, ordered the depositions be delayed at least two weeks, with no deadline for completion.

More than 20 lawsuits have been filed by almost 30 former patients and their families against Van de Loo, who worked for Mayo Clinic Health System until being fired in 2012. In February, he was found not guilty of 14 criminal counts of sexual assault involving juvenile male patients.