Jury Awards $22 million to Quadriplegic in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Jurors awarded $22 million to a woman who became a quadriplegic and lost the use of her arms and legs after undergoing a procedure that she didn’t need. According to a report in The San Jose Mercury News, doctors had ordered an angiogram in October 2006 after the woman had complained of migraines. Doctors said they wanted to investigate a vein in her brain, which they thought was abnormal. It was discovered the vein was not related to the migraines and the angiogram was not needed.
When doctors injected the dye as part of the test, the woman suffered a vasospasm and went into a coma. She woke up as a quadriplegic. The hospital where the woman was treated was also sued and they settled with the patient for an undisclosed amount. The woman is now in a wheelchair and has difficulty speaking. She has two children ages 10 and 16. She also claimed in her lawsuit that her marriage ended after her injury.
Paralysis can happen in a variety of ways. In many cases, direct injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis. This occurs when a bone or disc has been damaged. The spinal cord may even be damaged if it is compressed by swelling, bleeding or fluid accumulation in the spinal canal. Another factor that can lead to paralysis and other medical issues in a victim includes experiencing a brain trauma that affects the nerves. If a patient has been paralyzed because of a medical professional’s negligence, then the victim may be able to seek compensation for his or her injuries by filing a medical malpractice claim.
Medical negligence may include errors in treatment, surgery errors, medication mistakes, or misdiagnosis. If it is determined a hospital allowed an incompetent doctor to remain as part of their staff, the hospital could also be held liable for any damages that occur. Injuries sustained because of medical malpractice can be minor, moderate, or severe. Patients may be able to seek compensation to cover damages including, but not limited to, medical bills, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, physical therapy, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of medical negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
www.work4youlaw.com
Source: San Jose Mercury News