The family of an Irish woman who died from complications from cosmetic surgery in New York has won the right to sue a second doctor responsible for administering the operation.

The family of Kay Cregan, 42, who died on St. Patrick's Day in 2005 after undergoing face-lift surgery at the offices of Dr. Michael Sachs, has already sued Sachs and nurse Susan Alonzo-Francisco in a multi-million dollar suit.

Now New York’s Supreme Court has ruled that the family may sue anesthesiologist Dr. Madhavrao Subbarao as well, who they say “abandoned” the Limerick woman and failed to provide proper post-operative care.

The family had previously been unsuccessful in their attempt to sue the doctor, but last Thursday, their New York-based negligence lawyer Thomas Moore secured an appeal and had the case reinstated.

Moore told the Times he was “gratified” by the court’s decision, saying: “Finally Mr.
Cregan and his sons, Brian and Eoghan, will get their day in court against all the responsible parties.”

Kay Cregan had booked the $32,000 face-lift, eyelid surgery and nasal reconstruction as a surprise for her husband after seeing Sachs' work showcased in Ireland's Sunday Independent.

Cregan suffered from post-operative bleeding that blocked her airways, which ultimately killed her. She had complained of dizziness, and had fainted the morning after she had undergone the cosmetic procedures.

Subbarao is accused of failing to intubate Cregan, which would have assisted her with her breathing.

Her husband, Liam - who had believed his wife was visiting friends in Dublin - rushed to St Luke's Hospital in Manhattan from Ireland and was by her side when life support was switched off on March 17.

Sachs, who was been dubbed "Dr. Botch" in the New York media, has been involved in more than 30 malpractice cases since 1995.

Cregan's sister Agnes Kelly said she didn't believe her sister knew about Dr. Sachs' reputation.

Sachs’ lawyers have claimed the doctor is not guilty of negligence, and attributed Cregan’s death to an undiagnosed irregular heartbeat.

However, an autopsy found that no pre-existing condition played a role in Cregan’s death.

The case has sparked intense media interest as there is no cap on damages in New York.