The parents of a young woman were devastated when they learned that their daughter had died as a result of a blood clot in her brain. But they decided to take legal action against the hospital when they learned that a series of medical mistakes had been made which contributed to her untimely and wrongful death.
The woman was 26 and had just graduated from medical school when she started experiencing serious and ongoing headaches for more than a week. After numerous failed attempts to remedy her condition with pain relievers, the woman decided to seek treatment at the hospital. According to the lawsuit filed by her parents, it was shortly after she went to the hospital that their daughter was the victim of repeated medical negligence. Our readers in New Jersey may want to be aware of this case, as these types of errors can happen to any patient in any hospital.
What doctors did not know when the woman came to the hospital was that she was experiencing symptoms of a possible blood clot in her brain. They could have diagnosed and treated the woman quickly and effectively, but critical delays and several errors were made which resulted in her suffering severe brain damage before she was pronounced dead.
In the lawsuit filed against the medical center and health service organizations, the parents argue that the hospital where their daughter was treated was negligent on multiple occasions. Not only was the facility understaffed, but those who were working failed to take a proper medical history, failed to conduct proper tests and failed to consult a neurologist to identify the woman’s condition. Had these steps been taken, it is possible that the young woman would have gotten the life-saving treatment she needed.
Sadly, these cases are not uncommon. Across the country, there are many victims who are victims of medical malpractice of this nature. And while the consequences of a mistake may not cost a patient his or her life, it can dramatically affect a patient’s health and future. It is for this reason that victims of medical negligence or their families take legal action. Filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation cannot undo a tragic event, but it can serve as a way to hold a negligent party responsible and hopefully prevent the same thing from happening to someone else.
Source: Times Leader, “Malpractice suit filed in young doctor’s death,” Jerry Lynott, Jan. 8, 2014
