Woman awarded $1.8 million by jury in medical malpractice case

A woman who was sterilized by a doctor who cut the incorrect fallopian tube while performing a medical procedure was recently awarded $1.8 million by a jury. The jury handed down its decision on a recent Tuesday in April in the out-of-state medical malpractice case. When Maryland residents suffer harm due to their medical professionals’ negligent care, they are typically entitled to file medical malpractice claims against the responsible parties.

The woman and her husband had brought the claim against the doctor who performed the procedure in 2011. At the time, the doctor was 18 months out of residency. The woman, who was 28 at the time, was admitted to a local hospital on May 16, 2011 and complained of experiencing pelvic pain on her right side. Doctors were unsure whether the woman was suffering from an infection or appendicitis.

The woman underwent an appendectomy on May 23, 2011. Although one surgeon was performing the procedure, another surgeon entered the operating room and began performing surgery to remove an abscess on the woman’s right fallopian tube. This was the first time this surgeon had ever performed this surgery, and when she realized that something was wrong, she called in another physician. The surgeon came out of the operating room and explained that she had cut the incorrect fallopian tube. As a result, the patient was rendered infertile and underwent an additional surgery to correct the initial mistake.

As evidenced by this case, successfully presented medical malpractice claims may result in a judgment for any documented financial damages sustained by the victim. These damages often include medical expenses, lost pay, and pain and suffering, among others. Medical malpractice victims in Maryland are entitled to seek legal counsel in order to assess the validity of any legal claims and to advocate on their behalf in pursuing claims for financial compensation.

Source: theday.com, “Jury awards $1.8 million in medical malpractice case“, Karen Florin, April 20, 2016

Martindale-Hubbell
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
AABA
American Association of Justice
ABA
Maryland Association form Justice
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
Bar Register
Contact Information