Dr. Dean Lorich may not be a household name, yet his surgical skill was known by millions after he treated Bono, U2’s lead vocalist and lyricist, following a bicycle accident in November 2014 in New York’s Central Park. The orthopedic trauma surgeon saved Bono’s arm following a five-hour reconstructive surgery. Dr. Lorich, 54, was found deceased by his daughter, 11, on Sunday with a knife in his chest.
Lorich was found non-responsive and unconscious in the bathroom by first responders, according to New York police. It was also reported by several news agencies who arrived on-scene at Lorich’s Manhattan apartment after receiving a 911 call, the Independent (UK) reported.
The surgeon’s daughter ran and alerted the building’s doorman for help.
New York Police Department is investigating whether Lorich committed suicide, according to ABC News and the International Business Times (IBT). Police did not find a suicide note “so far,” IBT relayed, but there were also “no signs of forced entry.” Lorich was a married father of three daughters. His wife and two of his girls were not home when his 11-year-old daughter discovered him. Emergency service personnel pronounced him dead.
Surgeon under stress following former Giants player’s lawsuit
Police alluded to Lorich experiencing “personal stress,” the New York Daily News reported. Lorich was involved in a 2016 lawsuit, however, that led to Michael Cox, a former running back for the New York Giants, claiming that the surgeon destroyed his career.
Cox asserted that the doctor “botched his care” following surgery. Cox was 26 and was in his second season playing for the Giants in 2014 when he fractured his leg. Lorich performed surgery on Cox.
Steven North is Cox’s attorney. North stated that Lorich did fix Cox’s calf bone, and “did properly treat” his “major ankle bone,” the Daily News noted.
North also claimed that Cox had to have multiple surgeries and “his career was ruined.” He stated that his client could no longer play football.
According to North and the Daily News, Cox continues with his recuperation and is pursuing work in “the sports industry.” At the time of his leg injury, Cox had a $2.3 million, four-year contract.
His lawsuit is asking for “unspecified damages.”
North explained to the Daily News that Lorich would not be personally responsible for “any possible settlement” to the former pro football player. He pointed out that the hospital has an insurance policy that would have covered damages. Since HSS is defending itself and Lorich, and litigation is pending, HSS’s spokeswoman declined to comment about the civil suit.
Colleagues post condolence message about doctor’s death
The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), where Lorich was the associate director, posted a message on its website. Lou Shapiro, the CEO and President, and Todd Albert, the Surgeon-in-Chief, noted their sorrow and the news of Lorich’s death.
They described him not only as a respected surgeon but also as both a teacher and friend at HSS, as well as at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Shapiro and Albert offered their sympathy to Lorich’s family, his friends, and his patients.
