$645,000 Verdict for Family of Man Who Died after Back Surgery
Represented by Schochor, Staton, Goldberg, and Cardea, P.A., a Montgomery County family was awarded $645,000 after a jury found a doctor had improperly cleared their 64-year-old husband and father of three for surgery that led to his death.
In October, 2013, the decedent visited his doctor for clearance to have elective back surgery. He had several risk factors for coronary artery disease and was under the care of a cardiologist for valvular heart disease. His usual doctor was out of the country and the decedent was seen by a physician who had never examined him before. As part of the assessment by the replacing physician, he underwent an electrocardiogram, which showed abnormal results. Despite the decedent’s history and the test result, the doctor cleared the 64-year-old man for surgery.
Shortly after, the decedent had the elective back surgery and returned home that day. Later that evening, he was found dead at his home of causes related to his cardiac condition.
Jonathan Goldberg, a partner with Schochor, Staton, Goldberg, and Cardea, P.A. who represented the family noted, “It’s obviously a very sad case and something that could have been avoided.”
Recovering Compensation When Injured Through the Negligence of Others
Escaping a communist regime in Laos in 1976, the decedent and his family built a life in the United States. He injured his back on the job and hoped back surgery would relieve his discomfort and improve his quality of life. Although he sought expert medical advice on the impact of the surgery on his overall health, he received poor medical care that led to his death.
The jury trial in Montgomery County lasted five days. Both sides presented expert medical testimony on the treatment the decedent received—and should have received. An expert witness presented by Schochor, Staton, Goldberg, and Cardea, P.A. testified the victim should have been referred to a cardiologist who would have discovered and opened the blocked arteries that led to his passing.
After deliberating for approximately six hours, the jury found the replacement physician, Dr. Aruna Papsula, and her employer negligent in circumstances that led to the death of the decedent.
His wife was awarded economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are comprised of lost income, and past medical and funeral bills. Non-economic damages are not as easily calculated and are comprised of grief, loss of companionship and suffering. In this case, the jury also awarded non-economic damages to the three adult children of the decedent.
While no amount of money can replace the life of a loved one, it can make life easier to navigate while dealing with an altered future. If you are injured, or a loved one is killed through medical malpractice or the negligence of others, always speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.
Speak with Knowledgeable Wrongful Death Attorneys in Baltimore
Serving injured clients in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Maryland, and nationwide, the law firm of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg, and Cardea, P.A. delivers strong, straightforward representation to those who have experienced medical errors and other forms of medical malpractice.
Since 1984, our firm has initiated more medical negligence cases than any other law firm or practitioner in Maryland, and we guided the largest class-action settlement in the history of Maryland.
If you suffer serious injury due to the actions of others, call us at 410-234-1000 or contact us online.