Susan Martin, of Columbia MO, and her husband, have successfully reached a settlement with two doctors from the University of Missouri Hospital whose seemingly simple medical error resulted in a full blown case of medical malpractice.  The doctors agreed to pay the Martins $2.5 million for the injuries and damages suffered by Susan.

The case began when Susan was hospitalized for treatment of dehydration relating to a gastrointestinal condition she suffered from.  The medical malpractice lawsuit claims that while giving her a nutritional supplement via IV, the doctors erroneously placed the IV line in the wrong vein.

These types of IV treatments are supposed to be done through the subclavian vein, which is located near the patient’s collar bone.  Instead of this, however, the doctors in question, Dr. J. Stephen Scott and first-year resident Timothy Geiger accidentally placed the IV line in Susan’s subclavian artery.

This seemingly simple medical error resulted in fatty acids traveling to Susan’s brain over a period of five straight days, which led to her suffering numerous strokes, severe neurological and cognitive damage and has left her physically and mentally disabled.

The doctors agreed to the settlement, although they both still adamantly deny being at fault and claim that Mrs. Martin’s strokes could have been caused by a pre-existing condition.

Sometimes what seems like the smallest of mistakes can lead to catastrophe, as in this case.  A misplaced IV needle, the slip of a scalpel, or the wrong drug being prescribed can all mean permanent disability or even death to the unsuspecting patient.  If you feel that you have suffered harm as a result of a simple medical error, you may have the right to be compensated for your injuries.  Contact a medical attorney today to discuss your case.

The parents of an Illinois child whose leg was amputated shortly after birth as a result of hospital malpractice has won their lawsuit and been awarded a hefty settlement of $22.3 million.

In May 1999 Jake Tinman, now 10 years old, was born with a congenital heart defect that required a procedure to insert a shunt.  The medical malpractice lawsuit claims that due to a series of delays and negligent care by hospital staff, the child was forced to have his left leg amputated.  Court documents claim that the leg was improperly dressed after surgery.  Tinman’s parents also claim that the delay in treatment their son received is the cause of his developmental delays and cognitive deficiencies.

Among the accusations of negligence, the lawsuit claims that hospital staff:

• Failed to make a timely diagnosis of the patient’s shunt problem
• Did not properly apply the pressure dressing to the patient’s leg
• Failed to remove the pressure dressing from the patient’s leg in a timely manner
• Improperly subjected the patient to cardiac catheterization
• Failed to monitor the patient’s pulse
• Improperly destroyed an echocardiogram

The jury that heard the case sided with the Tinmans and found the hospital and its staff negligent in their treatment of Jake.  The trial lasted just three weeks.

Hospital malpractice is serious business.  Jake is lucky to have survived his ordeal, but now he and his family must deal with a host of medical problems that otherwise wouldn’t exist had he been properly cared for by the medical professionals that were in charge of his treatment.  Thankfully in this case, the hospital is being held responsible for their actions (and inactions).  If you have been harmed by a hospital doctor or nurse, you too may be eligible for compensation for your damages.  Contact a medical attorney right away to find out more.

There has been another delay in the wrongful death trial over an Irish woman who died following plastic surgery she had in Manhattan in 2005.  The pre-trial hearing has been set for June.  The accused, Dr. Michael Evan Sachs, has been dubbed “Dr. Botch” by the media due to the lengthy list of medical malpractice claims against him, totalling more than 30 since 1995.

Kay Cregan, 42 year old mother of two, underwent a facelift with Dr. Sachs on March 14, 2005.  Shortly after the surgery she collapsed in a recovery room.  She died several days later when she was removed from life support.

Sach’s medical license has since been revoked, though it is unclear why it took so long, and so many malpractice cases, to prompt this disciplinary action.  It is said that he currently maintains the worst malpractice record in the US.

The trial, which was supposed to begin back in January 2008, has been delayed multiple times, frustrating the Cregan family and preventing them from receiving the justice they rightfully deserve.  They are seeking unspecified monetary damages based on the loss of a wife and mother as well as Ms. Cregan’s pain and suffering that she endured in the days before her death.

If ever there was an example of the importance of researching the doctors with whom you plan to seek treatment, this is it.  With a history like Dr. Sach’s, it should have been evident that to undergo surgery with him would present a risk not worth taking.  Unfortunately, many people skip this critical step when seeking medical care and end up victims of medical malpractice as a result.

If you have suffered at the hands of a negligent doctor, or lost someone you love to medical malpractice, you may be able to receive compensation for your loss.  Speak with a medical attorney right away to find out how.

A jury has returned a verdict in the medical malpractice claim brought on behalf of 4 year old Sierra Wilson of South Carolina.  The child suffered a brain injury during birth, which resulted in Cerebral Palsy.  She died from complications of the illness.

According to the lawsuit, the girl’s mother, Robin Wilson, arrived at the Rock Hill hospital three days before she was scheduled to be induced, suffering from nausea and vomiting.  A nurse trainee was assigned to monitor Wilson, and the inexperienced practitioner misread the fetal heart monitoring device, failing to diagnose the baby’s distress.

Baby Sierra was subsequently born with a severe brain injury due to lack of oxygen before and during her birth.  She suffered from Cerebral Palsy, which caused her to have seizures and she was required to undergo almost daily therapy.  She was only able to eat through a feeding tube.

The settlement was much more than the Wilson’s expected: $4.4 million.  In fact, Sierra’s father Brice was quoted as saying, “I’ve never been in this for the money.  I’ve always wanted justice and vindication for my daughter. What she went through, she didn’t deserve.”

The hospital plans to appeal the decision.

Source:   HeraldOnline