$4.8 million Medical Neglect Settlement

 

The Plaintiff was a 33 year-old woman who was pregnant with her second child. She presented to the hospital during the course of the evening with signs and symptoms consistent with an ongoing infection. Furthermore, she disclosed both to her private physician and the staff that she had been exposed to strep throat during the course of the previous ten days.

 

Within the hospital the patient presented with alterations in her vital signs consistent with infection. Through the course of the evening these findings included increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure progressed.

 

At admission a laboratory order was made for routine blood work. This was to include a “differential” which would demonstrate whether or not there was a new or seeding infection. Through discovery Plaintiffs were able to demonstrate that at 11:00 in the evening the laboratory reported an abnormal “left shift” which signified a significant ongoing new infection in the mother. The physician in charge denied the test was ever ordered nor that she was made aware of the same. She alleged this must have sat on a printer through the course of the evening as the patient’s symptoms progressed.

 

Conversely, the nursing staff described in detail that they received this differential and made the physician aware of the same. Unfortunately, no medical treatment was provided to the Plaintiff. At this point in time, Plaintiff’s experts demonstrated that not only should aggressive intravenous antibiotics had been utilized, but that with the same both the mother and child would have been healthy.

 

Through the course of the evening her symptoms progressed without intervention ultimately leading to fetal distress as the infection moved from the maternal system across the placenta towards the baby. An emergency cesarean section was performed and was able to save the baby without any ongoing harm. Unfortunately, the mother went into DIC, which is a blood clotting disorder secondary to the systemic infection. She was transferred to a tertiary care facility where she died shortly thereafter leaving a husband and two young daughters.

 

Know The Medical Malpractice Facts

The Medical Malpractice Claim
Preventable Medical Error
Medical Malpractice Facts and Figures

Consumer Awareness

Erb's Palsy: What is Erb's Palsy?
Surgical Errors: Exposing the truth
HOM Managed Care: Healthcare Crisis in America
Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral Palsy Videos and Inspiration
Medication Errors: How to avoid deadly medication mistakes?
Nursing Home Neglect: A Closer look at Nursing Home abuse
Late Cancer Diagnosis: Insightful Information on Cancer Diagnosis
Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery: Is Your Plastic Surgeon Committed to Safety?
Wrongful Death: Every year thousands of people die due to medical malpractice
Client Testimony: An Elk & Elk Medical Malpractice Testimony: The Story of Les hall