CASE: Infectious Disease - Pediatrics
FACTS/LIABILITY: This is a wrongful death medical negligence case brought pursuant to RSA 556:12. The decedent was four months and eight days old when seen and treated at the defendant hospital for a respiratory illness. She was diagnosed as suffering from RSV and bronchiolitis. Over the next 5 and 1/2 days, she had been gradually improving, however, she developed coughing to the point of vomiting, decreased urinary output, decreased feeding and a fever of 103°. As a result, she was brought by her father to the defendant hospital’s emergency room for treatment at 2 a.m.
At the defendant hospital, she was seen by the hospital’s nursing staff and the defendant emergency room physician. Assessment revealed an elevated pulse and an elevated respiratory rate with mild expiratory grunting. Despite those findings, no oxygen saturation rate was taken. Her weight was either not taken or not recorded, no blood tests were ordered, no chest x-ray was ordered, no urinalysis was ordered and no treatment was prescribed.
The decedent’s father was reassured that there was nothing worrisome about her condition and that he should have her seen by her primary care physician “today or tomorrow.” Approximately 36 hours later she was seen by her PCP (at the first available appointment) where the severity of her condition was recognized. Despite prompt hospitalization and aggressive treatment she died of multiorgan failure secondary to bacterial superinfection.
DEFENSE: General denial. The defendants met the applicable standards of care and a lack of causation.
INJURIES: The decedent suffered from an acute bacterial infection, dehydration, respiratory distress, cardiovascular and renal failure, enormous physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of earning capacity, and death.
SPECIAL DAMAGES: Medical bills: $75,967.00; The economic loss to the estate was estimated at $570,000 to $1,000,000.
VERDICT/SETTLEMENT: The parties agreed to settle the case for a confidential amount.
PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL: Randolph J. Reis, Esquire (Reis Law PLLC)
NAMES/COUNTY: Anonymous v. Anonymous
Reis & Kirkland, PLLC
66 Hanover St. Suite 203
Manchester, NH 03101
Ph: 603-792-0800
FACTS/LIABILITY: This is a wrongful death medical negligence case brought pursuant to RSA 556:12. The decedent was four months and eight days old when seen and treated at the defendant hospital for a respiratory illness. She was diagnosed as suffering from RSV and bronchiolitis. Over the next 5 and 1/2 days, she had been gradually improving, however, she developed coughing to the point of vomiting, decreased urinary output, decreased feeding and a fever of 103°. As a result, she was brought by her father to the defendant hospital’s emergency room for treatment at 2 a.m.
At the defendant hospital, she was seen by the hospital’s nursing staff and the defendant emergency room physician. Assessment revealed an elevated pulse and an elevated respiratory rate with mild expiratory grunting. Despite those findings, no oxygen saturation rate was taken. Her weight was either not taken or not recorded, no blood tests were ordered, no chest x-ray was ordered, no urinalysis was ordered and no treatment was prescribed.
The decedent’s father was reassured that there was nothing worrisome about her condition and that he should have her seen by her primary care physician “today or tomorrow.” Approximately 36 hours later she was seen by her PCP (at the first available appointment) where the severity of her condition was recognized. Despite prompt hospitalization and aggressive treatment she died of multiorgan failure secondary to bacterial superinfection.
DEFENSE: General denial. The defendants met the applicable standards of care and a lack of causation.
INJURIES: The decedent suffered from an acute bacterial infection, dehydration, respiratory distress, cardiovascular and renal failure, enormous physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of earning capacity, and death.
SPECIAL DAMAGES: Medical bills: $75,967.00; The economic loss to the estate was estimated at $570,000 to $1,000,000.
VERDICT/SETTLEMENT: The parties agreed to settle the case for a confidential amount.
PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL: Randolph J. Reis, Esquire (Reis Law PLLC)
NAMES/COUNTY: Anonymous v. Anonymous
Reis & Kirkland, PLLC
66 Hanover St. Suite 203
Manchester, NH 03101
Ph: 603-792-0800