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Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
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- Malpractice Reform Would Save Little Money, Harm Patients Already Injured
- Surgical Mistake Reportedly Led to Rep. Murtha’s Death
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- New Hospital Plans to Decrease Number of Beds, Will Quality Improve?
Posted on 3/6/2010 - Use of "safe-surgery checklist" could reduce medical mistakes
Posted on 2/4/2010 - Virginia (VA) Jury Awards $7.5 Million in Failure to Diagnose Breast Cancer Case
Posted on 6/5/2009 - West Virginia Family Files Medical Malpractice Suit For Woman’s High Blood Pressure Death
Posted on 4/17/2009 - Virginia Pilot Demands That Dangerous Doctors Be Disciplined
Posted on 4/1/2009
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Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
Medical Mistake in Rehabilitation Center Causes Death in Elderly Woman
In February of 2008, a 97 year old resident of a Hampton Roads, Virginia (VA) rehabilitation home was accidentally injected with insulin. Upon discovering her unconscious they rushed her to Sentara Leigh Hospital where they attempted to revive the victim. However, the stomach injection proved fatal and she died that day. The autopsy revealed a state of hypoglycemic encephalopathy. Her daughter and three grandchildren were left in despair.
The defense argued that because of her age, she had no real life expectancy left given her prior health issues. However, the attorney for the victim’s family argued that she could fulfill many everyday tasks around the house. The decedent was also able to handle her affairs and had a fairly high quality of life. This was all before she moved to the rehabilitation home from her daughter’s home. The insurer settled the case awarding $275,000 to the family and $5,751 for the funeral expenses. This is such a tragic story and we hate to see events like these happen to the elderly when retirement homes, nursing homes, and rehabilitation homes are careless. I hope this facility learned to be more careful in administering medication to its residents.
This recent real case shows a lot about medical errors and the legal system. The health care system causes about 200,000 deaths a year according to a recent study. These are preventable acts of negligence killing patients. Many more are injured but do not die. The situation in nursing homes is especially bad because they are often understaffed when they are run by corporations which put profit over people.
The insurance companies who defend these cases of neglector malpractice make some sick arguments to get out of paying the family for the harms their insured doctors or staff commit. The lawyer for the at-fault health care provider in this case essentially said, “your mother was so old that her dying is not worth much.” This “so what” defense is standard fare in medical malpractice.
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DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT, AND THE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS MENTIONED ON THIS WEBSITE, WHILE ACCURATE, DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT WE MAY OBTAIN FOR YOU IN YOUR CASE.
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
- Retained Surgical Sponge and Subsequent Complications
- Failed Back Surgery
- Failure to Diagnose/ER Doctor/vascular incident (aortic aneurysim)
- Gastric Bypass (stomach stapling) Surgery complications
- Gallbladder Surgery Error
Awarded: $425,000.00 Settlement
Awarded: The case was settled before the trial for 1.25 million dollars.
Awarded: $700,000.00
Awarded: $550,000.00 settlement during mediation.
Awarded: $425,000
FAQs
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
- A family member died in a nursing home, and after talking with members of the staff, it sounds like they died due to nursing home neglect. Should I get a lawyer?
- I have a feeling something is wrong at my family member's nursing home. What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse or neglect?
- A family member died in a nursing home, and after talking with members of the staff, it sounds like they died due to nursing home neglect. Should I get a lawyer?
What is the Virginia (VA) statute of limitations for personal injury in a medical malpractice case?