A recent California birth injury case makes several disturbing allegations against health care conglomerate Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. According to the negligence lawsuit, Kaiser improperly placed a disabled boy in hospice care and prescribed unnecessary sedatives to hasten his death. The boy's parents assert claims for medical negligence and battery, intentional and negligent misrepresentation and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
While in general, Kaiser has a high level of customer due to the number of patients Kaiser treats each day, mistakes are bound to happen. If you have suffered an injury or illness due to negligence on the part of your Kaiser doctor or health provider, you may have a medical malpractice claim on your hands.
In this instance, the boy was born with a genetic condition – 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria - that caused physical and mental disabilities. At the time of diagnosis, the boy was an infant. However, despite his age Kaiser intentionally and inappropriately prescribed several drugs, according to the lawsuit. These included morphine sulfate, a powerful vasodepressive drug, as well as lorazepam and Phenobarbital. Prescription errors are a leading cause of medical malpractice in California and across the country.
The medical malpractice lawsuit alleges that the reason behind the prescription was the fact that the boy suffered from a physical and/or mental disability, not actual medical need, and that the drugs were given to hasten his death. As the result of the injections, the boy suffered severe brain damage, according to the complaint. The parents further allege that the boy was subjected to "harmful and unlawful touching."
The parents are seeking damages including medical costs, general and special damages, and attorneys' fees.
For more information, or if you have concerns about the medical care you received at a Kaiser facility, please contact an experienced Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyer at our firm today.
