According to recent statistics, negligence in healthcare is the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 deaths each year across the country due to medical negligence. Even though Kentucky is home to exceptional medical care, mistakes still happen and can be detrimental to patients. A woman in another state died due to alleged medical malpractice, and her family was recently awarded almost $30 million from a lawsuit they filed.
The woman visited a medical center to get a CT scan procedure. According to the lawsuit, the contrast dye used for the scan caused her to have an allergic reaction. Allegedly, the woman went into shock and lost consciousness.
The lawsuit claimed that the doctor that administered the scan failed to immediately take the woman’s vital signs and also failed to administer epinephrine. The epinephrine could have reversed the shock, the lawsuit said. According to court documents, the jury said the physician was negligence, and this negligence caused the death of the woman. The family was awarded a total of $29.5 million.
Tragically, negligence during medical procedures claims thousands of lives each year. Even though doctors and nurses in the state of Kentucky are well trained and skilled professionals, they will still make mistakes. When mistakes are made during procedures, the life of the patient is directly at risk. Families in Kentucky who have been affected by medical malpractice could benefit by seeking the services of an experienced legal representative. A successfully litigated lawsuit could result in a substantial award to help families through this difficult and stressful experience.