Case: Medication Induced Liver Toxicity
FACTS: The 77-year-old decedent and patient of the defendant urologist was receiving treatment for prostate cancer. The defendant prescribed Casodex (a medication that carries a risk of hepatotoxicity), but did not order a baseline LFT, and did not obtain follow up LFTs within 3 months. A follow up visit was scheduled 4 months after the Casodex was prescribed. At that visit the defendant noted that "unfortunately" no LFTs were obtained and ordered LFTs "in the near future." Those test results were obtained and reviewed by the defendant 3 days later, and showed mildly to moderately elevated liver enzymes. The defendant did not inform the decedent of the elevated LFTs. Two months after the elevated LFTs were reported the decedent saw his PCP for symptoms consistent with hepatitis. He was found to have LFTs that were critically elevated. He died 3 weeks later .
CLAIMS: Plaintiff alleged defendant violated the standard of care by failing to obtain a baseline and then monitor LFTs at three months. Plaintiff further alleged that defendant violated the standard of care by failing to inform decedent of the elevated LFTs and take him off Casodex. Plaintiff alleged decedent died from Casodex induced hepatitis, which would have been avoided had defendant instructed decedent to stop taking Casodex.
DEFENSES: Defendant claimed it was reasonable to wait for a subsequent appointment to follow up on the LFTs on the grounds that these elevations are almost always transient and because liver toxicity is rare. Defendant claimed lack of causation on the grounds that the outcome would not have changed even if the medication had been stopped earlier.
INJURIES: Premature death.
SPECIAL DAMAGES: Medical bills: $61,043.90; Funeral expenses: $2,625.00
VERDICT/SETTLEMENT: The parties agreed to settle for a confidential amount.
PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL: Randolph J. Reis and Kimberly Kirkland (Reis Law, PLLC)
NAMES/COUNTY: Anonymous v. Anonymous
Reis & Kirkland, PLLC
66 Hanover St. Suite 203
Manchester, NH 03101
Ph: 603-792-0800
FACTS: The 77-year-old decedent and patient of the defendant urologist was receiving treatment for prostate cancer. The defendant prescribed Casodex (a medication that carries a risk of hepatotoxicity), but did not order a baseline LFT, and did not obtain follow up LFTs within 3 months. A follow up visit was scheduled 4 months after the Casodex was prescribed. At that visit the defendant noted that "unfortunately" no LFTs were obtained and ordered LFTs "in the near future." Those test results were obtained and reviewed by the defendant 3 days later, and showed mildly to moderately elevated liver enzymes. The defendant did not inform the decedent of the elevated LFTs. Two months after the elevated LFTs were reported the decedent saw his PCP for symptoms consistent with hepatitis. He was found to have LFTs that were critically elevated. He died 3 weeks later .
CLAIMS: Plaintiff alleged defendant violated the standard of care by failing to obtain a baseline and then monitor LFTs at three months. Plaintiff further alleged that defendant violated the standard of care by failing to inform decedent of the elevated LFTs and take him off Casodex. Plaintiff alleged decedent died from Casodex induced hepatitis, which would have been avoided had defendant instructed decedent to stop taking Casodex.
DEFENSES: Defendant claimed it was reasonable to wait for a subsequent appointment to follow up on the LFTs on the grounds that these elevations are almost always transient and because liver toxicity is rare. Defendant claimed lack of causation on the grounds that the outcome would not have changed even if the medication had been stopped earlier.
INJURIES: Premature death.
SPECIAL DAMAGES: Medical bills: $61,043.90; Funeral expenses: $2,625.00
VERDICT/SETTLEMENT: The parties agreed to settle for a confidential amount.
PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL: Randolph J. Reis and Kimberly Kirkland (Reis Law, PLLC)
NAMES/COUNTY: Anonymous v. Anonymous
Reis & Kirkland, PLLC
66 Hanover St. Suite 203
Manchester, NH 03101
Ph: 603-792-0800