Last month, we wrote about the sometimes fatal medical mistakes made by a physician at an Illinois prison. Now it appears a doctor at another Illinois prison is facing multiple lawsuits for his medical mistakes and outright disregard for the welfare of the prisoners he was supposed to be caring for.

Recently, a judge in Illinois denied a request to have the most recent medical malpractice lawsuit against the physician in question dismissed. The same judge previously noted the high number of lawsuits brought against the physician suggest he is a "walking malpractice action."

In the most recent lawsuit, the doctor is accused of ignoring a prisoner's request for medical treatment after the prisoner complained he was vomiting blood and had severe back and abdominal pain.

The same prisoner had surgery on his lower back in 2006. Later that year, he complained of lower back pain. The prisoner who brought the lawsuit against the physician says the doctor only prescribed him pain medication. He also alleges that the doctor told other staff members to ignore the man's request for medical care because enough money had already been spent on him. The prisoner brought a lawsuit against the physician in 2008.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the physician no longer works for the company that provides medical services to Illinois prisons. However, with the judge's latest ruling, the case against him will move forward.

No one should be denied medical care, even if they are in prison. It appears in this case that the doctor was blatantly negligent in his response to the prisoners request for medical attention. Doctors should work diligently to provide the best care possible. When they fail to do that, they should be held accountable.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Judge slams 'callous conduct' of doctor at Stateville prison," Steve Schmadeke, Feb. 1, 2012