MILLION DOLLAR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AWARDS: An Update

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$4,300,000.00 SURGERY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AWARD FOR LACERATED AORTA DURING BARIATRIC SURGERY

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In this surgery medical malpractice matter, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant surgeon was negligent during bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) in lacerating the plaintiff's aorta (the largest artery in the body) resulting in massive blood loss and cardiac arrest (heart attack).

The plaintiff, age 62, suffered as a result profound hypotension (low blood pressure) which resulted in kidney failure, thus requiring the plaintiff undergo a kidney transplant. The plaintiff also suffered severe cognitive defects (mental retardation). --- Massachusetts case.

$3,000,000.00 CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL MALPRACTICE - HOSPITAL NEGLIGENCE - FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE AND TIMELY TREAT FATAL SEPSIS FOLLOWING KNEE SURGERY; WRONGFUL DEATH OF 70-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

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In this medical malpractice case, the plaintiff's estate alleged that the defendant medical facility was negligent in its treatment of the plaintiff's decedent during post-operative care and treatment. The decedent died of sepsis (severe response to bacteria or other germs to the body) following knee surgery.

The defendant denied the allegations and disputed the plaintiff’s injuries, causation and damages.

The 70-year-old female plaintiff suffered from gastric ulcers and came under the care of the defendant medical facility for a total knee replacement. Following the surgery, the plaintiff’s decedent complained of persistent abdominal pain. The decedent continued to experience abdominal pain, and an abnormal pulse rate and blood pressure readings, as well as decreased renal function in the 36-hour period following the surgery. The decedent had a surgical consult when a chest X-ray showed free air in the decedent’s abdomen.

The decedent was operated on again, which disclosed stomach wall perforations. She was then treated in the intensive care unit for sepsis and gastrointestinal complications.

The plaintiff died approximately one month later from septic complications.

The plaintiff brought suit against the defendant alleging negligence. The plaintiff contended that had the defendant recognized the signs of internal bleeding and sepsis immediately they could have appropriately treated the decedent.

The parties mediated the plaintiff’s claim and arrived at a confidential settlement of $3,000,000.00 to resolve the case. --- Massachusetts case.

[www.medicine.net.com; www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/hypotension; www.mayoclinic.com; www.jvra.com/verdict; www.emedicinehealth.com/cognitivedefects; www.webmd.com/hypotension/arota/cardiacarrest]