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Did negligence cause bladder injury at cesarean?
Due to a prolonged labor, an Ob/Gyn attempted vacuum then forceps delivery on a 35-year-old woman delivering her first child. When both interventions were unsuccessful, the physician opted for a cesarean section and delivered a healthy infant.
During the procedure, the mother suffered multiple bladder perforations, which caused urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
She claimed the doctor was negligent in separating her bladder and uterus with Metzenbaum scissors.
The defense noted that due to adhesions from a prior abdominal cystectomy, the cesarean was especially difficult.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Due to a prolonged labor, an Ob/Gyn attempted vacuum then forceps delivery on a 35-year-old woman delivering her first child. When both interventions were unsuccessful, the physician opted for a cesarean section and delivered a healthy infant.
During the procedure, the mother suffered multiple bladder perforations, which caused urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
She claimed the doctor was negligent in separating her bladder and uterus with Metzenbaum scissors.
The defense noted that due to adhesions from a prior abdominal cystectomy, the cesarean was especially difficult.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Due to a prolonged labor, an Ob/Gyn attempted vacuum then forceps delivery on a 35-year-old woman delivering her first child. When both interventions were unsuccessful, the physician opted for a cesarean section and delivered a healthy infant.
During the procedure, the mother suffered multiple bladder perforations, which caused urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
She claimed the doctor was negligent in separating her bladder and uterus with Metzenbaum scissors.
The defense noted that due to adhesions from a prior abdominal cystectomy, the cesarean was especially difficult.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Mother dies after cesarean: Was overdose to blame?
<court>Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas</court>
At 31 weeks’ gestation, a 31-year-old gravida reported to her obstetrician’s office with complaints of vomiting. In the absence of the doctor, who was on vacation, a nurse administered hydroxyzine and promethazine and sent the woman home.
Three days later the woman again presented, still reporting vomiting. The since-returned physician ordered immediate transfer to the hospital, where he delivered a healthy male infant via emergency cesarean. He prescribed 25 mg of meperidine for pain.
Shortly after hospital staff loaded a 300-mg meperidine pack into a patient-controlled analgesia machine, the woman went into respiratory arrest. Though resuscitated, she suffered severe brain damage.
The woman was also found to have fatty liver disease, and thus underwent a successful liver transplant. A week later, however, she died as a result of the brain injury.
In suing, the woman’s family claimed the woman’s hypoxic event stemmed from meperidine overdose. They also argued that the nurse was negligent in administering hydroxyzine and promethazine without the doctor’s consent.
The defense noted that the nurse had a standing order from the physician to treat pregnancy-related emesis with hydroxyzine and promethazine. They also argued that the liver disease, not meperidine overdose, was responsible for the respiratory event.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas</court>
At 31 weeks’ gestation, a 31-year-old gravida reported to her obstetrician’s office with complaints of vomiting. In the absence of the doctor, who was on vacation, a nurse administered hydroxyzine and promethazine and sent the woman home.
Three days later the woman again presented, still reporting vomiting. The since-returned physician ordered immediate transfer to the hospital, where he delivered a healthy male infant via emergency cesarean. He prescribed 25 mg of meperidine for pain.
Shortly after hospital staff loaded a 300-mg meperidine pack into a patient-controlled analgesia machine, the woman went into respiratory arrest. Though resuscitated, she suffered severe brain damage.
The woman was also found to have fatty liver disease, and thus underwent a successful liver transplant. A week later, however, she died as a result of the brain injury.
In suing, the woman’s family claimed the woman’s hypoxic event stemmed from meperidine overdose. They also argued that the nurse was negligent in administering hydroxyzine and promethazine without the doctor’s consent.
The defense noted that the nurse had a standing order from the physician to treat pregnancy-related emesis with hydroxyzine and promethazine. They also argued that the liver disease, not meperidine overdose, was responsible for the respiratory event.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas</court>
At 31 weeks’ gestation, a 31-year-old gravida reported to her obstetrician’s office with complaints of vomiting. In the absence of the doctor, who was on vacation, a nurse administered hydroxyzine and promethazine and sent the woman home.
Three days later the woman again presented, still reporting vomiting. The since-returned physician ordered immediate transfer to the hospital, where he delivered a healthy male infant via emergency cesarean. He prescribed 25 mg of meperidine for pain.
Shortly after hospital staff loaded a 300-mg meperidine pack into a patient-controlled analgesia machine, the woman went into respiratory arrest. Though resuscitated, she suffered severe brain damage.
The woman was also found to have fatty liver disease, and thus underwent a successful liver transplant. A week later, however, she died as a result of the brain injury.
In suing, the woman’s family claimed the woman’s hypoxic event stemmed from meperidine overdose. They also argued that the nurse was negligent in administering hydroxyzine and promethazine without the doctor’s consent.
The defense noted that the nurse had a standing order from the physician to treat pregnancy-related emesis with hydroxyzine and promethazine. They also argued that the liver disease, not meperidine overdose, was responsible for the respiratory event.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
Was decreased fetal movement mishandled?
Five weeks before her due date, a 28-year-old gravida reported decreased fetal movement and no activity during a kick test. A physician performed a biophysical profile and noted a score of 8 out of 10 with a nonreactive stress test. The woman was sent home and advised to inform the group of any additional changes in fetal movement.
She contacted the group 5 days later, again noting an absence of fetal movement. At the hospital, another physician in the group was unable to detect a fetal heart rate. Another 3 and a half hours passed before the doctor delivered the child by cesarean section.
Though born with an Apgar score of 9, the child was hypoglycemic and acidotic, and later diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia. Age 6 at the time of the trial, she suffers from seizures, spastic quadriparesis, and cortical blindness.
The plaintiff alleged that the first physician misread the biophysical profile and the second physician was negligent in delaying cesarean delivery after failing to detect a heartbeat. All 3 group members were cited for not responding appropriately to the mother’s initial complaint of decreased fetal movement.
The defendants maintained the biophysical profile was correct. They argued that, in light of the high Apgar score at birth, the child’s condition likely stemmed from a chronic condition precipitated by placental insufficiency several weeks before delivery.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $111.7 million. A high/low agreement reached prior to the verdict reduced the award to $6 million.
Five weeks before her due date, a 28-year-old gravida reported decreased fetal movement and no activity during a kick test. A physician performed a biophysical profile and noted a score of 8 out of 10 with a nonreactive stress test. The woman was sent home and advised to inform the group of any additional changes in fetal movement.
She contacted the group 5 days later, again noting an absence of fetal movement. At the hospital, another physician in the group was unable to detect a fetal heart rate. Another 3 and a half hours passed before the doctor delivered the child by cesarean section.
Though born with an Apgar score of 9, the child was hypoglycemic and acidotic, and later diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia. Age 6 at the time of the trial, she suffers from seizures, spastic quadriparesis, and cortical blindness.
The plaintiff alleged that the first physician misread the biophysical profile and the second physician was negligent in delaying cesarean delivery after failing to detect a heartbeat. All 3 group members were cited for not responding appropriately to the mother’s initial complaint of decreased fetal movement.
The defendants maintained the biophysical profile was correct. They argued that, in light of the high Apgar score at birth, the child’s condition likely stemmed from a chronic condition precipitated by placental insufficiency several weeks before delivery.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $111.7 million. A high/low agreement reached prior to the verdict reduced the award to $6 million.
Five weeks before her due date, a 28-year-old gravida reported decreased fetal movement and no activity during a kick test. A physician performed a biophysical profile and noted a score of 8 out of 10 with a nonreactive stress test. The woman was sent home and advised to inform the group of any additional changes in fetal movement.
She contacted the group 5 days later, again noting an absence of fetal movement. At the hospital, another physician in the group was unable to detect a fetal heart rate. Another 3 and a half hours passed before the doctor delivered the child by cesarean section.
Though born with an Apgar score of 9, the child was hypoglycemic and acidotic, and later diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia. Age 6 at the time of the trial, she suffers from seizures, spastic quadriparesis, and cortical blindness.
The plaintiff alleged that the first physician misread the biophysical profile and the second physician was negligent in delaying cesarean delivery after failing to detect a heartbeat. All 3 group members were cited for not responding appropriately to the mother’s initial complaint of decreased fetal movement.
The defendants maintained the biophysical profile was correct. They argued that, in light of the high Apgar score at birth, the child’s condition likely stemmed from a chronic condition precipitated by placental insufficiency several weeks before delivery.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $111.7 million. A high/low agreement reached prior to the verdict reduced the award to $6 million.
Brain damage follows induction for wrongly suspected macrosomia
Suspecting macrosomia severe enough to impede normal vaginal delivery, an obstetrician induced early labor, using forceps to deliver the infant.
At birth, however, the child weighed just 6 lbs and suffered severe brain damage. He spent the following 3 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, and subsequently underwent 14 surgeries to his brain and spine. He requires constant care due to severe physical and neurologic impairment.
The plaintiff claimed the physician was negligent in inducing early labor and used an improper forceps technique known to be associated with a higher risk of brain damage.
The defense maintained the child’s injuries were congenital.
- A jury awarded the plaintiff $63 million.
Suspecting macrosomia severe enough to impede normal vaginal delivery, an obstetrician induced early labor, using forceps to deliver the infant.
At birth, however, the child weighed just 6 lbs and suffered severe brain damage. He spent the following 3 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, and subsequently underwent 14 surgeries to his brain and spine. He requires constant care due to severe physical and neurologic impairment.
The plaintiff claimed the physician was negligent in inducing early labor and used an improper forceps technique known to be associated with a higher risk of brain damage.
The defense maintained the child’s injuries were congenital.
- A jury awarded the plaintiff $63 million.
Suspecting macrosomia severe enough to impede normal vaginal delivery, an obstetrician induced early labor, using forceps to deliver the infant.
At birth, however, the child weighed just 6 lbs and suffered severe brain damage. He spent the following 3 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, and subsequently underwent 14 surgeries to his brain and spine. He requires constant care due to severe physical and neurologic impairment.
The plaintiff claimed the physician was negligent in inducing early labor and used an improper forceps technique known to be associated with a higher risk of brain damage.
The defense maintained the child’s injuries were congenital.
- A jury awarded the plaintiff $63 million.
Diagnostic laparoscopy leads to bowel injury
Due to complaints of crural pain, a 38-year-old woman with a history of uterine fibroids underwent diagnostic laparoscopy; she was discharged that day.
She returned to the hospital via ambulance 2 days later, and was diagnosed with acute peritonitis. It was revealed that she had suffered a bowel perforation during the laparoscopy.
In suing, the woman claimed that her surgical history—3 prior abdominal procedures—contraindicated the laparoscopy.
The defense maintained that the procedure was appropriate given the circumstances, and that bowel perforation is a known complication.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Due to complaints of crural pain, a 38-year-old woman with a history of uterine fibroids underwent diagnostic laparoscopy; she was discharged that day.
She returned to the hospital via ambulance 2 days later, and was diagnosed with acute peritonitis. It was revealed that she had suffered a bowel perforation during the laparoscopy.
In suing, the woman claimed that her surgical history—3 prior abdominal procedures—contraindicated the laparoscopy.
The defense maintained that the procedure was appropriate given the circumstances, and that bowel perforation is a known complication.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Due to complaints of crural pain, a 38-year-old woman with a history of uterine fibroids underwent diagnostic laparoscopy; she was discharged that day.
She returned to the hospital via ambulance 2 days later, and was diagnosed with acute peritonitis. It was revealed that she had suffered a bowel perforation during the laparoscopy.
In suing, the woman claimed that her surgical history—3 prior abdominal procedures—contraindicated the laparoscopy.
The defense maintained that the procedure was appropriate given the circumstances, and that bowel perforation is a known complication.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.
Trocar use blamed for bowel perforation
A 32-year-old woman underwent laparoscopy for the treatment of endometriosis. During the course of surgery, a trocar caused a 5-mm perforation in the woman’s bowel. A general surgeon successfully repaired the injury, leaving a 3- to 4-inch scar on her abdomen.
In suing, the patient claimed that the defendant should have used a Veress needle instead of a trocar to reduce the risk of bowel injury.
The defense maintained either instrument was appropriate, and noted that such injury is a known complication of the procedure.
- The court directed a defense verdict.
A 32-year-old woman underwent laparoscopy for the treatment of endometriosis. During the course of surgery, a trocar caused a 5-mm perforation in the woman’s bowel. A general surgeon successfully repaired the injury, leaving a 3- to 4-inch scar on her abdomen.
In suing, the patient claimed that the defendant should have used a Veress needle instead of a trocar to reduce the risk of bowel injury.
The defense maintained either instrument was appropriate, and noted that such injury is a known complication of the procedure.
- The court directed a defense verdict.
A 32-year-old woman underwent laparoscopy for the treatment of endometriosis. During the course of surgery, a trocar caused a 5-mm perforation in the woman’s bowel. A general surgeon successfully repaired the injury, leaving a 3- to 4-inch scar on her abdomen.
In suing, the patient claimed that the defendant should have used a Veress needle instead of a trocar to reduce the risk of bowel injury.
The defense maintained either instrument was appropriate, and noted that such injury is a known complication of the procedure.
- The court directed a defense verdict.
D&C, fetal death follow missed pregnancy
Due to a missed period, a woman presented to her Ob/Gyn, who conducted an ultrasound. He diagnosed a blighted ovum and ordered no further tests. Per his recommendation, the woman underwent a D&C procedure.
Two weeks later, the woman delivered a deceased 3-inch fetus. A second D&C was required to remove the remaining products of conception. The plaintiffs sued, alleging emotional distress. The physician did not deny negligence, but questioned the level of distress the incident caused.
- The jury awarded the plaintiffs $220,000.
Due to a missed period, a woman presented to her Ob/Gyn, who conducted an ultrasound. He diagnosed a blighted ovum and ordered no further tests. Per his recommendation, the woman underwent a D&C procedure.
Two weeks later, the woman delivered a deceased 3-inch fetus. A second D&C was required to remove the remaining products of conception. The plaintiffs sued, alleging emotional distress. The physician did not deny negligence, but questioned the level of distress the incident caused.
- The jury awarded the plaintiffs $220,000.
Due to a missed period, a woman presented to her Ob/Gyn, who conducted an ultrasound. He diagnosed a blighted ovum and ordered no further tests. Per his recommendation, the woman underwent a D&C procedure.
Two weeks later, the woman delivered a deceased 3-inch fetus. A second D&C was required to remove the remaining products of conception. The plaintiffs sued, alleging emotional distress. The physician did not deny negligence, but questioned the level of distress the incident caused.
- The jury awarded the plaintiffs $220,000.
Did delayed cesarean cause cerebral palsy in breech twin?
<court>Summit County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court</court>
Upon discovering a breech presentation for the second fetus in a set of twins, an obstetrician attempted to rotate the infant for a vaginal delivery. In the process, the child’s umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, causing heart-rate decelerations.
Nineteen minutes passed before the child was delivered by cesarean section, by which time he had suffered severe anoxia leading to cerebral palsy.
The infant plaintiff claimed the delay in cesarean delivery led to his injuries.
The physician maintained proper care was administered, and that the child’s injuries were known risks of breech birth.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $3.3 million.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>Summit County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court</court>
Upon discovering a breech presentation for the second fetus in a set of twins, an obstetrician attempted to rotate the infant for a vaginal delivery. In the process, the child’s umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, causing heart-rate decelerations.
Nineteen minutes passed before the child was delivered by cesarean section, by which time he had suffered severe anoxia leading to cerebral palsy.
The infant plaintiff claimed the delay in cesarean delivery led to his injuries.
The physician maintained proper care was administered, and that the child’s injuries were known risks of breech birth.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $3.3 million.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>Summit County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court</court>
Upon discovering a breech presentation for the second fetus in a set of twins, an obstetrician attempted to rotate the infant for a vaginal delivery. In the process, the child’s umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, causing heart-rate decelerations.
Nineteen minutes passed before the child was delivered by cesarean section, by which time he had suffered severe anoxia leading to cerebral palsy.
The infant plaintiff claimed the delay in cesarean delivery led to his injuries.
The physician maintained proper care was administered, and that the child’s injuries were known risks of breech birth.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $3.3 million.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
Did OCs for menorrhagia cause aphasia?
A 47-year-old woman presented with menorrhagia, for which her Ob/Gyn prescribed oral contraceptives (OCs). Approximately 1 month later, the woman suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in aphasia.
In suing, the woman contended that, as per the standard of care, she should have been prescribed progesterone—not OCs—due to a family history of strokes.
The defendant, while aware of the patient’s history, believed the benefits of OCs outweighed the risks.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $545,000.
A 47-year-old woman presented with menorrhagia, for which her Ob/Gyn prescribed oral contraceptives (OCs). Approximately 1 month later, the woman suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in aphasia.
In suing, the woman contended that, as per the standard of care, she should have been prescribed progesterone—not OCs—due to a family history of strokes.
The defendant, while aware of the patient’s history, believed the benefits of OCs outweighed the risks.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $545,000.
A 47-year-old woman presented with menorrhagia, for which her Ob/Gyn prescribed oral contraceptives (OCs). Approximately 1 month later, the woman suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in aphasia.
In suing, the woman contended that, as per the standard of care, she should have been prescribed progesterone—not OCs—due to a family history of strokes.
The defendant, while aware of the patient’s history, believed the benefits of OCs outweighed the risks.
- The jury awarded the plaintiff $545,000.
Ectopic pregnancy missed: Salpingectomy required
<court>Queens County (NY) Supreme Court</court>
A 21-year-old woman presented with complaints of severe abdominal pain and fainting. Hospital residents determined she was 5 weeks pregnant. After informing the clinicians she had received a birth-control shot 5 to 6 weeks earlier, she was admitted for additional testing. During this time her beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) was noted as rising.
Following a dilation and curettage procedure conducted 2 days after admission, physicians concluded the patient had miscarried. A pathology report issued 4 days later, however, noted no pregnancy tissue in the woman’s uterus. No additional studies were ordered and the woman was released.
Four days later, the woman presented to another hospital with a fallopian tube ruptured beyond repair, and underwent a salpingectomy.
In suing, the plaintiff claimed that information obtained during her hospital stay clearly pointed to an ectopic pregnancy—specifically, the slowness with which her β-HCG levels were rising and the absence of pregnancy tissue in her uterus. Had the ectopic pregnancy been diagnosed, she argued, the injury to her fallopian tube would have been discovered earlier, when it could have been repaired laparoscopically, protecting her fertility.
Further, the woman contended that during her stay she suffered undiagnosed internal bleeding that may have caused damage to her remaining fallopian tube, thus cutting her chances of achieving pregnancy naturally by more than half.
One of the 2 defendant attending physicians claimed she was not in any way involved with the admission or care of the patient; as a result, action against her was subsequently dropped. The second physician maintained she was never informed of the pathology results.
- The case settled for $500,000, split between the defendant hospital and physician.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>Queens County (NY) Supreme Court</court>
A 21-year-old woman presented with complaints of severe abdominal pain and fainting. Hospital residents determined she was 5 weeks pregnant. After informing the clinicians she had received a birth-control shot 5 to 6 weeks earlier, she was admitted for additional testing. During this time her beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) was noted as rising.
Following a dilation and curettage procedure conducted 2 days after admission, physicians concluded the patient had miscarried. A pathology report issued 4 days later, however, noted no pregnancy tissue in the woman’s uterus. No additional studies were ordered and the woman was released.
Four days later, the woman presented to another hospital with a fallopian tube ruptured beyond repair, and underwent a salpingectomy.
In suing, the plaintiff claimed that information obtained during her hospital stay clearly pointed to an ectopic pregnancy—specifically, the slowness with which her β-HCG levels were rising and the absence of pregnancy tissue in her uterus. Had the ectopic pregnancy been diagnosed, she argued, the injury to her fallopian tube would have been discovered earlier, when it could have been repaired laparoscopically, protecting her fertility.
Further, the woman contended that during her stay she suffered undiagnosed internal bleeding that may have caused damage to her remaining fallopian tube, thus cutting her chances of achieving pregnancy naturally by more than half.
One of the 2 defendant attending physicians claimed she was not in any way involved with the admission or care of the patient; as a result, action against her was subsequently dropped. The second physician maintained she was never informed of the pathology results.
- The case settled for $500,000, split between the defendant hospital and physician.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.
<court>Queens County (NY) Supreme Court</court>
A 21-year-old woman presented with complaints of severe abdominal pain and fainting. Hospital residents determined she was 5 weeks pregnant. After informing the clinicians she had received a birth-control shot 5 to 6 weeks earlier, she was admitted for additional testing. During this time her beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) was noted as rising.
Following a dilation and curettage procedure conducted 2 days after admission, physicians concluded the patient had miscarried. A pathology report issued 4 days later, however, noted no pregnancy tissue in the woman’s uterus. No additional studies were ordered and the woman was released.
Four days later, the woman presented to another hospital with a fallopian tube ruptured beyond repair, and underwent a salpingectomy.
In suing, the plaintiff claimed that information obtained during her hospital stay clearly pointed to an ectopic pregnancy—specifically, the slowness with which her β-HCG levels were rising and the absence of pregnancy tissue in her uterus. Had the ectopic pregnancy been diagnosed, she argued, the injury to her fallopian tube would have been discovered earlier, when it could have been repaired laparoscopically, protecting her fertility.
Further, the woman contended that during her stay she suffered undiagnosed internal bleeding that may have caused damage to her remaining fallopian tube, thus cutting her chances of achieving pregnancy naturally by more than half.
One of the 2 defendant attending physicians claimed she was not in any way involved with the admission or care of the patient; as a result, action against her was subsequently dropped. The second physician maintained she was never informed of the pathology results.
- The case settled for $500,000, split between the defendant hospital and physician.
The cases in this column are selected by the editors of OBG Management from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts, with permission of the editor, Lewis Laska, of Nashville, Tenn. (www.verdictslaska.com) While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.