Malpractice Information

SUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Information current as of: 02/09/2026
Session: 2026-02-09 01:19:19.018 | 216.73.216.142 /r00kwe2ah3rlhmb4frnykdkg

Return to search page

Oregon Seal

Information About Web Based Malpractice Search Results:

Malpractice claim information is compiled by the Oregon Medical Board from reports received from insurers, public bodies, self-insured entities, or health maintenance organizations. Reporting requirements are governed by ORS 742.400. A malpractice claim is a written demand for payment regarding alleged professional negligence that has been filed in a court. The information below represents reports received to date; not all reports may have been submitted to the OMB.

Per ORS 742.400, only closed claims that resulted in a judicial finding or admission of liability or a money judgment, award or settlement that involves a payment to the claimant/plaintiff are posted online. Also, claims filed before 1/1/2006 and no new claim was filed within a four-year period are not posted.

The settlement of a medical malpractice claim may occur for a variety of reasons that do not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the provider. Therefore, there may be no OMB disciplinary action for a licensee, even though there is a closed malpractice claim. A payment in the settlement of a medical malpractice action does not create a presumption that medical malpractice occurred. Additional Malpractice Claim Information is available online. Disputes about malpractice claim reports and the content of this information should be directed to the licensee's malpractice insurance carrier.

The malpractice search results below show closed malpractice claims that were filed in court and resulted in a judicial finding or admission of liability, or a monetary judgment, award, or settlement that involves payment to the claimant/plaintiff by anyone named in the claim. Additional information is available in a printed Malpractice Search Report which can be requested by submitting the Licensee Information Request form.

Licensee: Makker, Vishal James MD

MD23879

Malpractice Claims

01/19/2005
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
03/02/2007
$300,000
Lawsuit: On 3/25/04, the 78-year-old, male patient underwent a one-level, anterior cervical diskectomy and interbody fusion, with plating by the insured for a condition of multiple fractures in his cervical spine following a backward fall where he hit his head, neck and right shoulder. Following discharge, the patient allegedly began to develop weakness in his legs and had complaints of parathesia into his right hand. Addendum: On 4/3/04, the patient underwent anterior & posterior cervical fusions by other physicians. He now alleges that the insured failed to properly stabilize his spinal fractures.

10/02/2007
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
03/17/2009
$275,000
Lawsuit: The patient had experienced back pain and was treated with spinal surgery. The patient alleges that the improper performance of this surgery caused leg pain and weakness.

01/15/2009
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
02/10/2011
$500,000
Lawsuit: The plaintiff/patient had a one-year history of spontaneous onset of left thoracic pain w/urinary incontinence. A radiologist read an MRI & noted a large disc protrusion at T8-9. On 1/16/07, the insured performed a fusion at T8-9. On 1/18/07, a second MRI was done & the herniation was at the T9-10 level, not the T8-9 level. The insured returned the patient to surgery that same day & performed a fusion at T9-10. The patient alleges that the initial surgery was performed at the wrong level & resulted in Brown-Sequard Syndrome, w/right leg weakness.

05/14/2012
Portland, OR
 
03/24/2011
$130,000
Allegations that our insured performed six spinal surgeries that were unnecessary including the first surgery. Patient alleges that he suffered immediate and permanent damage including nearly complete loss of neurological function in his leg and left foot.

04/19/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of neck & back pain. Performed neck, back & cervical spine surgeries. Alleged negligent performce of surgies resulting in injury to cervical nerve roots and spinal cord. Injury to neck, back, legs, bowel & bladder.

04/19/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of neck and arm pain. Performed five cervical surgeries. Alleged negligent performance of surgeries resulting in destabilization of spine. Permanent injury to left shoulder, vocal cords, phrenic nerve and diaphragm.

04/28/2011
Portland,
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of low back pain and left leg numbness. Performed low back surgery. Alleged negligent treatment resulting in infection. Two month hospitalization for treatment of infection.

06/10/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent performance of surgery resulting in spinal cord injury causing loss of sensation in right leg and left knee. Permanent urinary and bowel incontinence and infection.

06/01/2011
Portland,
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Back problems. Performed several back surgeries. Alleged negligent performance of back surgeries resulting in spine destabilization and permanent neurologic injury to spinal cord.

08/03/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of low back, neck, left leg pain and weakness. Alleged negligent performance of excessive unwarranted back surgeries resulting in permanent disability to back, legs, neck, arms and feet.

08/03/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligently performed numerous cervical surgeries resulting in permanent injury to vertebrae and loss of use of left arm, shoulder and hand.

09/12/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of back and leg pain. Performed back surgery. Alleged improper performance of unnecessary back surgery resulting in infection and pain.

09/12/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
History of prior surgery on cervical spine. Performed back surgery. Alleged improper performance of numerous unnecessary back surgeries resulting in injuries to spine and nerve roots.

09/12/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of low back pain. Performed back surgery. Alleged improper performance of unnecessary back surgery & coccygectomy resulting in infection & continued pain.

09/12/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of neck pain, right shoulder pain and numbness and right scapular pain. Performed back surgery. Alleged improper performance of numerous unnecessary neck and back surgeries resulting in destabilization of spine and permanent injury.

09/12/2011
Portland,
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of pain in neck & right arm. Performed back surgery. Alleged improper performance of numerous unnecessary back surgeries resulting in permanent injury to cervical vertebrae and pain.

09/12/2011
Portland,
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of low back pain. Performed back surgery. Alleged improper performance of numerous unnecessary back surgeries resulting in destabilized spine, dural leak and permanent arachnoiditis.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent performance of numerous unnecessary back surgeries resulting in permanent injury to lower back.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent performance of numerous back surgeries resulting in permanent injury to back, legs and spinal cord.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged unsuccessful cervical spine surgery resulting in additional surgery and pain and discomfort.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Complaints of low back and leg pain. Alleged negligent back surgery resulting in permanent injury to back, legs and spinal cord.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent spine surgeries resulting in permanent injury to back and spinal cord.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent back surgeries resulting in injuries to neck, shoulders, back, arms & spinal cord.

09/15/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent performance of multiple back surgeries resulting in permanent neurologic injuries and destabilization of bony spine.

10/06/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Presented with low back pain. Alleged negligent performance of numerous unnecessary back/neck surgeries resulting in permanent spine destabilization and nerve injuries to neck/throat.

10/06/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Presented with low back pain. Alleged negligent performance of numerous unnecessary back surgeries in weakened cervical/lumbar spine, pain and numbness.

10/06/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Alleged negligent spinal surgeries resulting in permanent injury to neck/throat and lower back.

10/06/2011
Portland, OR
(1) Settled by parties
08/28/2013
$72,000
Presented with neck and back pain. Alleged negligent performance of numerous unnecessary back surgeries resulting in permanent spine destabilization and dural injury causing fluid leak.


There are one or more closed claims on file with the Board for this Licensee that are not available to view on our website. Per ORS 742.400(5)(a)(b), a claim will not appear on our website if:

  1. The claim did not result in a judicial finding or admission of liability or a money judgment, award or settlement that involves a payment to the claimant/plaintiff, and/or
  2. The claim was filed prior to 1/1/2006 and no new claim was filed within a four-year period.

For additional malpractice information regarding this licensee you may call the Board or obtain a printed Malpractice Search Report by submitting the following Licensee Information Request.

Oregon Medical Board
1500 SW 1st Ave, Suite 620
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (971) 673-2700