Evertise
20 Apr 2022, 23:54 GMT+10
Earlier this month, a jury at Tarrant County Probate Court 2 awarded $8.3 million in the verdict of a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Texas Harris Health Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth will have to pay at least a part of that amount to the family of Angela Davis, a former parole office who suffered permanent brain damage due to a medication error.
On May 7, 2014, Angela Davis was scheduled to undergo elective hip surgery at the Texas Health Hospital. The hospital has contracted Sundance Anesthesia, an anesthesiology practice, to provide services to patients.
However, the anesthesiologist on duty injected tranexamic acid instead of a spinal anesthetic into Angela's spine. Tranexamic acid is a drug used to control bleeding.
Angela suffered severe and permanent brain damage due to the medication mixup. She remains paralyzed due to brain damage, even eight years later.
John Davis, Angela's husband and legal guardian hired personal injury attorneys to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against various authorities and employees of the Texas Health Hospital and Sundance Anesthesia.
The case went to trial at the Tarrant County Probate Court 2. In April 2022, a jury found the hospital 65% responsible and the anesthesiology practice 35% responsible for the medication error that resulted in Angela's brain damage.
Also, the jury awarded $8.3 million to Angela's family in its verdict. However, it isn't clear how much money the plaintiffs will finally receive and from whom. A ruling from the court is still needed to determine that.
One of the attorneys representing John and Angela Davis, Mark Sudderth, expects the hospital authorities to appeal with the argument that there isn't enough evidence to hold them 100% accountable for the incident.
But according to various witness testimonies and the anesthesiologist on duty, Texas Health Hospital Fort Worth didn't have any written procedures to prevent medication mix-ups despite strict regulations.
Also, it was the hospital's responsibility to evaluate, train, and supervise the anesthesiologist from Sundance Anesthetic.
While it'll take some time for Angela's family to receive the compensation, their attorneys believe the money will help cover her ongoing medical expenses. Also, it'll provide them with closure after nearly a decade of legal battles.
Becoming a victim of medical negligence or error is physically and mentally exhausting. It's a traumatic experience for patients and their family members.
However, Angela David's case shows that proper legal guidance can help hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. It'll even help the victim and their family get suitable compensation for long-term damages and expenses.
Here are a few crucial things patients can learn from the case:
In many cases, victims of medical malpractice struggle to file insurance claims and receive proper compensation. Hiring a personal injury attorney simplifies and speeds up the process.
A personal injury lawyer helps patients gather evidence from various witnesses and other sources to build their case. That, in turn, eliminates hassles from the process of filing insurance claims.
Also, the attorney handholds patients through the legal battle; from filing a lawsuit, negotiating with the defendants, and representing the plaintiff in court.
Patients or their family members must maintain a journal describing the incident of malpractice in detail, including their symptoms, drugs administered, caregivers on duty, etc. The idea is to have all the necessary information handy when the need to file a lawsuit arises.
Medical malpractice can turn a patient's life upside down in seconds. The patient's family members are left to pick up the pieces and take care of the victim. It drains them emotionally, physically, and financially.
Finding a reliable personal injury law firm is the only effective way to move ahead after medical malpractice. The right attorney helps victims and their families understand state laws, determine their rights, and fight a legal battle against established medical practitioners and organizations.
Get a daily dose of Austin Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Alphabet's self-driving division Waymo is preparing to expand its driverless ride-hailing footprint to the heart...
BENGALURU, India: A major regulatory breakthrough in India could mark a turning point for Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet...
NEW YORK, New York - Renewed fears about inflation, and U.S. Donald Trump's trade policies say American markets take a deep dive Friday....
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Segway is recalling about 220,000 scooters in the U.S. because of a safety issue that can cause riders to...
BEIJING, China: As global tech firms navigate rising geopolitical tensions, China has extended a warm signal to Apple, one of its most...
NEW YORK, New York - Shares in automakers fell sharply Thursday after U.S.President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on all...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Federal safety regulators have launched a new investigation into Ford's best-selling F-150 pickup trucks after receiving...
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) Walker Buehler is looking to revive his career by pitching a full season for the...
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) Toronto's Max Scherzer was given the thumbs up to start Saturday afternoon against...
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Mookie Betts hit two home runs, including a game-ending, three-run blast in the 10th inning...
(Photo credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images) The surging Boston Celtics look to keep alive their fleeting chances for the best record...
(Photo credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images) Searching for answers before postseason play, the Memphis Grizzlies made the surprising...