Emory University Hospital Ordered to Pay $30 Million in Medical Malpractice Case
A DeKalb County jury has recently ruled that Emory University Hospital must pay a Georgia mother over $30 million in damages. This is one of the highest amounts the hospital has ever had to pay in a medical malpractice case. The lawsuit claims that the hospital’s medical staff overlooked a crucial scan that could have potentially saved the life of the woman’s 20-year-old son, who was undergoing a heart transplant.
According to attorney Lee Gutschenritter, who represented the mother, the jury’s verdict was a staggering $38.6 million. He spoke on behalf of his overwhelmed client, Barbra Brown, stating that this verdict finally brought her closure after six years of fighting for justice for her son’s death. Gutschenritter also mentioned that this verdict is said to be the largest ever against Emory.
This judgment comes after a five-year-long civil case against Emory Healthcare Incorporated. Brown’s son tragically passed away during his heart transplant surgery in 2017. Gutschenritter described him as a good kid who cared about others and revealed that he lost two-thirds of his blood during the procedure.
The lawsuit alleges that the medical team failed to conduct a chest CT scan to check for scar tissue or particles, despite the fact that Trevon had a medical heart pump due to his congestive heart failure. In 2016, doctors discovered that Trevon had been living with a dormant virus that had attacked and destroyed his heart. Gutschenritter claimed that a simple pre-operative chest CT scan would have revealed a critical structure stuck to the back of his chest, potentially saving his life.
Attorneys involved in the case stated that medical experts from Harvard University reviewed the evidence and determined that if the CT scan had been performed, Trevon could still be alive today. He left the operating room on life support and remained on life support for six weeks until he ultimately passed away on Christmas Day.
Emory’s attorneys argued in court that it is not standard practice for them to use a chest CT scan. When approached for a comment, Emory sent a statement expressing their condolences to the family and stating that they will continue providing high-quality and compassionate care to all their patients.
Gutschenritter believes that his client is grateful to the jury for agreeing with her and finally obtaining justice for her son. This landmark verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of proper medical procedures and the devastating consequences that can arise from negligence.
In other news, Emory University Hospital is facing scrutiny and public backlash as a result of this case.
