When a Miami woman suffers a pregnancy outside of the womb, it can be a scary situation, but for the most part, she expects that the doctor will take care of the situation without endangering her health. However, when a woman experienced this situation in 2009, a surgical error left her with hearing loss and the amputation of both legs.
The New York woman, now 34, filed a medical malpractice suit against the hospital and three doctors allegeldy responsible for the error. Her intestine was punctured, followed by gangrene and a blood infection that spread to her legs. Three days after she was released from the hospital, she was in such severe pain that both legs had to be removed. The routine procedure left her a double amputee. The woman now must use prosthetic legs and a wheelchair in order to walk.
The woman won her case, receiving $62 million in compensation. That amount includes $58 million for past and future pain and suffering and $4 million in medical expenses and interest. The hospital disagrees with the ruling and plans to file an appeal.
Doctors are only human, and mistakes will be made. However, the gynecologists should have known how to correctly perform a laparoscopic surgical procedure without causing this amount of damage to a patient. The young woman is grateful that justice was served, but she still faces a hard road ahead due to medical professional negligence. Making matters worse is that the woman must not only care for herself, but also for her 13-year-old daughter.
Those who have been injured by medical negligence or malpractice have a right to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide valuable guidance on how best to proceed with such a case.
Source: Winthrop Sued for $62M by Double Amputee Patient, “Winthrop Sued for $62M by Double Amputee Patient” Geoffrey Walter, Jan. 13, 2014
