Disclaimer: Every case is unique and different. The outcome of every case depends on a variety of factors, including the facts, parties, issues, jurisdiction, etc. Although Frith Law Firm was successful in these cases, we cannot guarantee or predict a similar result on any future case undertaken by our firm.
Pressure Ulcer Hospital Case:
The plaintiff, a woman in her 60's, went to a Virginia hospital for surgical care. Three days after surgery, the nursing staff realized she had developed a stage III pressure ulcer on her sacrum. Plaintiff alleged the hospital was negligent for failing to turn, provide pressure relief, examine skin and wound care, despite the fact the plaintiff was a known risk for wound development. She required additional hospitilization, home health care, wound vac and additional wound care for many months. The case settled months before trial was scheduled.
Neurosurgeon Malpractice Case:
The plaintiff, age 64, was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in April of 2004. He was taken from the accident scene, by ambulance, to a local hospital. Multiple radiographic studies were ordered by the Emergency Room physician, including a CT scan with contrast, to evaluate the extent of plaintiff’s head and neck injuries. The Emergency Room physician also ordered the application of a soft cervical collar to immobilize the patient’s cervical spine. On the second day of hospitalization, the plaintiff’s consulting neurosurgeon’s partner made rounds and removed the plaintiff’s soft collar. Upon transfer to Level 1 trauma center within 1 week, the plaintiff was noted (for the first time) to be unable to move his legs or arms. An MRI confirmed the plaintiff had suffered a C6 - 7 disc and ligament injury and a CT scan showed a bilateral C6 - 7 facet disruption and retrolisthesis of C6 on C7. The plaintiff’s quadriplegia is permanent.
The case settled approximately two months prior to the scheduled trial against the neurosurgeon.
Radiologist Malpractice Case:
47 year old male arrived at the Emergency Department at local hospital complaining of back pain and nausea on March 25, 2007. The ER physician, aware of the presence of the thoracic aneurysm, ordered CT studies of the chest to rule out any changes in the aneurysm. The films were taken by the staff of the hospital radiology department and sent, via tele-radiology, to a radiologist in another state for interpretation. The ER physician requested that the old and current CT studies be compared and any changes noted. The remote radiologist reportedly compared the old and new radiographs and reported to the ER physician there had been no change in the appearance of the thoracic aneurysm. Based upon this interpretation, the decedent was discharged from the ED with directions to see his family doctor if symptoms persisted. Decedent continued to experience pain and discomfort for the next several days and died 5 days later due to a ruptured thoracic aneurysm. The case settled shortly before trial.
Emergency Room Doctor Malpractice Case:
39 year old paraplegic presented to Emergency Department of hospital with severely elevated blood pressure. ED physician discharged despite fact that vitals signs were the same at discharge as on admission to the emergency department. Patient developed seizures the following morning, returned to hospital, and subsequently died 4 days later. The patient’s cause of death was “hypertensive seizure.” The patient’s primary care physician and nephrologist opined that patient should have been admitted to hospital - placed in ICU and given IV nitro and IV Labetolal to reduce blood pressure. This same physician opined that such treatment would have been 90% successful. Case settled shortly before trial.
Veterans Administration Malpractice Case:
31 year old veteran from operation Iraqi Freedom went to the VA for surgery to repair an ankle injury that occurred during his military service. Orthopedic surgeon tried to discharge the client, but his wife refused to leave the VA grounds until her husband received post surgical care for the pain and swelling around the surgical site. Despite extreme pain and swelling, and family's insistence that our client was suffering from something called compartment syndrome, the VA did little for over two days. Finally, an emergency fasciotomy was performed relieving the pressure from the nerves in his foot and ankle. Sadly, over 48 hours of pressure caused permanent nerve damage. Although the VA denies liability, a settlement of $300,000 was reached prior to filing a federal lawsuit in 2009.
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