People in Oregon know that periodic checkups with their physician are a good idea for helping to maintain good overall health. On occasion a checkup may result in a doctor requesting certain tests. The tests are required to check for the presence of disease or to rule out suspicions of disease. Typically, patients trust the doctors tasked with carrying out the tests to carry them out carefully and correctly. Failure to carry out a test carefully and accurately could result in a medical negligence case.
A female patient was referred to a hospital to have a CT scan administered. The doctor injected her with contrast dye, and the patient suffered an allergic reaction. She went into anaphylactic shock as a result of the reaction and became unconscious. The doctor did give her Benadryl but did not check her vital signs. He also did not give her epinephrine, which may have been able to save her life.
The woman’s family filed a medical negligence suit against the doctor. The case went to trial, and the jury found the doctor liable for negligence, which had caused damage to the victim, the victim’s husband and their children. The family was awarded a multi-million dollar judgment.
When a person in Oregon dies unexpectedly as a result of a commonly performed medical procedure, the shock and grief to the victim’s family can be overwhelming. While no amount of money can bring back a loved one, a measure of relief can be achieved from seeing justice done. A person who suffers such a loss may want to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer can advise the family and loved ones involved as to what legal paths are open to them and if a medical negligence suit is a viable option.