A hospital in Pennsylvania was ordered to pay $5 million to a man’s family after a jury agreed that medical malpractice occurred. In December 2008, an 88-year-old man was brought to Abington Memorial Hospital after losing consciousness at the nursing home where he resided. Upon arrival, the medical staff inserted a feeding tube into the man who pulled it out. The tube was then reinserted, but this time, it was done incorrectly and was placed in his lung instead of his stomach. The lawsuit claims that an X-Ray taken at the hospital is evidence of this mistake, and it was misread by the staff who believed the feeding solution was being pumped into the patient’s stomach. Tragically, the solution was filling the man’s lungs causing him to drown to death. A Montgomery County jury agreed with the accusations of medical malpractice and awarded the family with $5 million.
As the population of the country continues to increase and the life expectancy rises, there is a high demand for medical providers. Unfortunately, as more people seek medical attention, medical malpractice incidents are also increasing. Some officials believe that one of the reasons for an increase in mistakes is connected to treating more patients without providing them with the in-depth evaluation they deserve. Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel have a large responsibility to treat and care for patients; however, without providing an acceptable level of care, injuries, illnesses, and death from medical malpractice will occur.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of medical malpractice, seeking the legal advice of St. Louis’ best medical malpractice attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth is imperative. Our attorneys have the resources and experience needed to fight in a case that you cannot fight alone. We understand that during this difficult time, you need the best representation and support in which we provide to all of our clients. Contact us to receive a free no-obligation consultation today.