It is always bittersweet to hear stories about injured people who recover for wrongs made to them or loved ones. Bitter, because it is terrible to hear about their unfortunate situation, but sweet because they won their case alleging negligence. For those who have been afflicted by similar situations, you may be wondering what this case means for you. Read on to hear the details of this man’s incident and how he sought compensation for medical negligence.
The family made the decision to sue Pennsylvania doctors that the three located at Titusville Area Hospital didn’t properly examine him after a 500-pound treetop slammed into Anthony’s back in the summer of 2012. The injured claimed that he was in too much pain to lie down properly for a complete set of spinal X-rays and the incomplete set didn’t detect the spinal fracture that eventually paralyzed him. The family then argued that he should have been given a CT scan instead.
A jury agreed with this claim after hearing testimony from a surgeon who said the man would be walking today had the fracture been diagnosed properly, among other witnesses. For this mishandling of his injury, the man and his family was awarded $2.2 million for past and future pain and suffering. The hospital itself is also liable for the action of the three doctors who were found 50 percent, 30 percent and 20 percent responsible for the man’s misdiagnosis.
Misdiagnosis is a serious scenario that can affect the rest of a person’s life. Doctor’s are meant to aid and heal patients. Paralysis resulting from improper care is one of the worst things that could potentially happen to a patient. This man and his family chose to seek reparation for the wrongs made to them at that Pennsylvania hospital that day.
Source: ctpost.com, “Jury awards paralyzed logger $2.2m in malpractice suit,” Oct. 26, 2015