California Hospital Settled Wrongful Death Lawsuit for $250,000

Hospital gives woman lethal dose of blood thinning medication in wrongful death case

Community Regional Medical Center of Fresno, CA settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed brought against them by a family after their mother died.  The woman mistakenly received an excessive dose of a blood-thinning medication.  The settlement amount of $250,000 is the cap on the amount available in California.

The woman entered the hospital in December 2010 complaining of pain and numbness in her left arm.  She was then admitted to the hospital and underwent routine surgery.  She later died, and her death certificate listed Heparin toxicity “as a significant condition contributing to death.”  Her medical records showed she was given 50 times the ordered amount of the blood thinner.

The hospital released a statement saying, “The settlement is a fair one. And along the way, we’ve instituted improved safeguards on medications.” […]

Ohio Family Awarded $4.2 Million in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

The family of an Ohio woman who died of a heart attack after being treated at Wheeling Hospital (WV) in 2009 has been awarded $4.2 million by an Ohio County jury.  The lawsuit was filed against Dr. Stephen Heirendt and EMPG of West Virginia, Inc.

The woman went to Wheeling Hospital, complaining of chest pains, where she was treated by Heirendt.  The suit claimed that the doctor did not follow appropriate standards of care, ultimately leading to her heart attack 11 days later.  The woman was 43-years-old.

The family was awarded $1.5 million for sorrow and mental anguish, $1.5 million for loss of services, $300,000 for loss of household services and $872,000 in lost wages.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a form of medical negligence, you may have a medical malpractice claim.  […]

NC Medical System Charged with Negligence to Pay $25 Million

A father has been awarded $25 million by a Cumberland County, North Carolina jury after finding the Cape Fear Valley Health System negligent in reporting signs of child abuse against the man’s son.  The boy, who lived with his mother at the time, eventually suffered brain injury after additional abuse.

FayObserver.com reports that the lawsuit alleged if the hospital had reported signs of child abuse when the boy was initially treated for a broken wrist and other broken bones that he would not have received a beating later that “caved in his skull and took away his ability to talk or use his arms and legs.”

The young boy was taken to the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in 2003 when he was six years old.  At the time he had surgery on his wrist, he was also vomiting, and further x-rays revealed an old rib fracture.  […]

Pennsylvania Woman Awarded $23 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

WFMZ-TV reports a Lehigh County, Pennsylvania jury has awarded a Lehighton woman $23 million in a medical malpractice case.  The woman had both legs amputated after her home care nurse failed to evaluate and report an infected catheter for appropriate treatment.

The lawsuit alleged the delay in reporting the infection led to a bloodstream infection that ultimately required the woman’s legs to be amputated below the knees.

The jury found the nurse and her employer, St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Home Care, negligent in caring for the plaintiff.

A spokesman for St. Luke’s said, “As with all malpractice cases, this is a complicated situation, but the resultant jury award is excessive and shocks the conscience.”  The spokesman did not indicate if they would appeal the verdict.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a form of medical negligence, […]

North Carolina Physician’s Assistant Found Negligent in Mother’s Death

A physician’s assistant (PA) was found negligent in the death of a 42-year-old woman from congestive heart failure less than two months after giving birth to twins at The McDowell Hospital in Marion, NC.    The lawsuit was brought by the husband who claimed the defendants did not do all they could to save the life of his wife.

The man will be awarded $667,000 in the case where he was seeking $6.8 million.  The suit was filed against seven doctors, one physician’s assistant, Asheville Radiology, The McDowell Hospital and McDowell Emergency Physicians.  Most of the defendants settled out of court, however, two doctors, the PA and McDowell Emergency Physicians took the case to court.

The woman was diagnosed with pneumonia after giving birth in February, 2008, and was prescribed a medication for treatment upon her discharge.  Suffering from shortness of breath and nausea, the woman returned to the emergency room several times within the following weeks and was again treated for pneumonia.  […]