An expert is recommending approval of $4.1 million in claims filed by victims of a Detroit-area doctor who committed fraud by putting patients through needless cancer treatments.
Randi Roth gave an update Tuesday to a judge who is overseeing the case of Dr. Farid (Fa-REED') Fata. She says 81 percent of 741 claims are fully or partly eligible for payment.
Final approval rests with federal Judge Paul Borman in the months ahead. The restitution process includes a way for patients or their family to appeal if Roth determined a claim wasn't eligible. The judge says she's done a "very professional job."
Fata's victims can seek reimbursement for funeral costs, remedial health care and mental health care. Out-of-pocket costs paid to Fata and his clinics are also eligible.
Pain and suffering and lost wages aren't eligible for payment. Fata is in prison.
