Despite increasingly stringent rules and regulations, negligence in health care continues to be one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States. Patients in Oregon have access to some of the best care available in the world. However, when humans are involved, there will always be errors. Two brothers in another state recently received a $500,000 settlement from a lawsuit they filed after alleged medical negligence contributed to the death of their father.
The brothers say that their father visited a VA medical center for treatment of mild pneumonia. Allegedly, their father was given the medication Ceftriaxone despite being allergic to the medication. The lawsuit claimed that the man submitted a list of prohibited medications prior to treatment.
According to the lawsuit, the man became bright red and increasingly sick a day after allegedly being given Ceftriaxone. However, despite the man’s condition, the plaintiffs claimed that the hospital staff administered even more of the medication. The father died about a month later. The lawsuit claimed that doctors never even read the man’s chart, and their negligence led to the man’s death.
When it comes to medical care, neglecting even the smallest and most basic tasks like reading charts and identifying allergies can lead to the death of a patient. Those in Oregon who have been injured or lost loved ones to medical negligence could benefit from discussions with an experienced attorney. A successfully litigated lawsuit could result in a substantial monetary award to help families during such a difficult time.
Source: kshb.com, “Kansas City VA Medical Center settles wrongful death suit for $500,000“, Jessica McMaster, April 9, 2018