$10 million Medical Lawsuit Awarded in Texas
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On July 1, 2009, a jury in Texas awarded a young man a $10 million settlement as a result of a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctors and hospital that originally treated him for heart surgery.
In 2002, John German, 32 years old mechanic from Houston was admitted to Methodist Hospital to repair a heat valve that was malfunctioning. He came through the first surgery and then had to undergo another surgery to repair the stitches. The third and final operation was to actually implant an artificial heat valve.
During the surgeries, German was given Heparin, an intravenous blood thinner that has recently come under attack because of the consequences from using it. Heparin is used to treat immune diseases, infectious diseases and other chronic illnesses.
As a result of the administering of the Heparin, German developed gangrene. It was triggered by the use of the heparin and the disease results in the cell decay. John German, who entered the hospital to have his heart valve repaired had to have all of his fingers, all of the toes on his right foot and his left leg above the knee amputated. He had been in the hospital from September to December of 2002.
The lawsuit was brought against the hospital, as well as the doctors and nursing staff at the hospital who treated John German. The suit alleges that the nursing staff and doctors were negligent in observing the blood disorder that German developed as a result of the Heparin and a failure to treat it.
The $10 million settlement was spread out amongst the group. The hospital was ordered to pay $5 million and the remaining $5 million was settled by the doctors charged in the case. The hospital denies any wrongdoing and was not happy with the verdict and their attorneys plan on appealing it. The jury determined the percentage breakdown for the doctors.
One positive note was that German’s law suit missed the decision by the Texas legislature that put a $250,000 medical malpractice cap on lawsuits.
But the reality is that this man who earned his living as a mechanic lost all of his fingers as a result of trying to correct a heart valve. The effects of heparin have come under fire and lawsuits are hitting the scene every day. If you have had a recent surgery and had a serious reaction as a result of receiving heparin, please contact our law office at 1-888-LAW-IN-NY. The legal team at Napoli Bern Ripka has experience dealing with medical malpractice cases as well as the repercussions from FDA drugs.
We will be happy to go over a plan that could bring you the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation or fill out our quick contact form on our website.