Recently, a jury awarded the family of an elderly woman $12M in a medical malpractice case. The negligence lawsuit arose out of claims by the woman that the doctor – who was currently a resident – and performed the routine hernia operation, left her with permanent injuries. According to evidence presented at trial, the surgeon punctured the woman colon, which then led to a massive abdominal infection and the loss of most of her large intestine. This case presented the question whether a teaching hospital should be held responsible for the errors of their residents. Here, the jury determined that it should.
Unfortunately, surgical errors still remain a leading cause of catastrophic harm and wrongful death in this country. Whether performed by a resident or a seasoned professional, patient safety must be the top priority. If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by a surgical error, it is crucial to consult with a knowledgeable Los Angeles medical malpractice attorney right away. A skilled surgical error attorney can begin an investigation into all of the factors that may have caused or contributed to your harm.
Here the facts established that the woman was undergoing a routine procedure when the surgical resident perforated the patient's colon. The resident didn't realize he had made the error until the wound was closed. The patient then developed a massive infection and went into septic shock. She had a heart attack and her organs began failing, ultimately slipping into a coma. The woman continues to have significant abdominal problems.
While the hospital argued that it shouldn't be responsible for the errors of it's residents, the jury disagreed and awarded the family $12M.
One representative noted that it's the responsibility of teaching hospitals to insure patient safety comes first.
For more information or if you believe that you or a loved one suffered harm as the result of medical malpractice, please contact the top Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
