Lawsuit filed against N.Ky. doctor

FLORENCE, Ky. - The first of what could be many lawsuits has been filed against a Northern Kentucky doctor accused of overprescribing his patients.

9 News was the first station to break the news about the investigation into Dr. Gary Shearer's practice in Florence.

Barbara Fuller, the mother of one of Shearer's patients, is suing him for negligence, fraud, emotional distress, and wrongful death.

Shearer's medical license was suspended after 15 deaths of patients who were over-prescribed medications.

The emergency order of suspension cites dr. Shearer as one of the top 5 prescribers of oxycodone in Kentucky.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for updates on this lawsuit.