Doctor Found Dead On UES Was Sued By Ex-NY Giants Player: Records

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A doctor who police suspect killed himself in his Park Avenue home was embroiled in a legal battle with a former player for the New York Giants, according to a lawsuit filed in 2016.

Dean Lorich treated former Giants running back Michael Cox between Nov. 9, 2014 through May 31, 2015, according to the lawsuit filed in New York State supreme court. Cox's lawyers claimed Lorich was "negligent and careless" in failing to provide proper care for Cox, which resulted in personal injury to the football player.

Lorich operated on Cox in 2014 after the running back fractured his leg during his second season in the National Football League, lawyer Steven North told the Daily News. Lorich repaired the player's fractured fibula, but neglected to treat a damaged ankle bone, North said.

“It got worse and worse and worse to a point where ultimately, Michael went to different doctors, had multiple surgeries, and his career was ruined — he cannot play football anymore," North told the Daily News.

Lorich was found dead with a knife in his torso in his Park Avenue apartment building Sunday, police said. Officers found the body after being called to 1230 Park Ave. just after 1 p.m.

A police source said the death was being treated as a suicide, though no note was found, and that the body was discovered by Lorich's daughter.

The source said Lorich worked at New York Presbyterian hospital. News reports and the hospital's website say he was Associate Director for Orthopaedic Trauma Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery and New York Presbyterian.

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