Noteworthy Settlements & Verdicts
Medical Malpractice:
COMMERCIAL PILOT LOST USE OF ARM DUE TO NEGLIGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT
A jury awarded a commercial pilot who lost the use of his arm and his career due to a botched medical procedure at a Florida hospital. The jury verdict was upheld by the Fifth District Court of Appeals.
$7.2 million verdict
WOMAN CONTRACTED FLESH-EATING BACTERIA DURING VEIN REMOVAL SURGERY
A vein removal patient was permanently damaged and scarred from exposure to flesh-eating bacteria during a simple surgical procedure undertaken to relieve chronic pain. Her physician carried only $100,000 in liability insurance; a settlement for the limits of that policy was reached with his insurance carrier.
$100,000 settlement
SURGICAL ERRORS AND SUB-STANDARD MEDICAL TREATMENT CAUSED PARTIAL PARALYSIS
A jury awarded a woman who was rendered partially paralyzed for life by a surgical error that compressed her spinal cord. A delay in diagnosis following surgery compounded this error and substantially worsened her ultimate condition.
$4.5 million verdict
MEDICATION ERROR CREATED PARAPALEGIC CONDITION
An error in medication caused an 89 year-old woman who was being treated following orthopedic hip surgery to develop a blood clot on her spine. Her doctors’ failure to diagnose this problem on a timely basis resulted in her becoming a complete paraplegic. A settlement was reached with the doctors and hospital in the case.
$1.7 million settlement
DELIVERY ROOM MISTAKES RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES FOR MOTHER AND CHILD
A settlement was reached with the doctor and hospital in a case where a delay in initiating a cesarean section, followed by a surgical mistake during that procedure, caused serous injury and medical complications for both a mother and her baby.
$2.85 million settlement
Navy and Military Medical Malpractice:
NAVY WIFE DIED FROM NEGLIGENT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
A settlement was reached with the federal government in a lawsuit brought on behalf of the family of a Navy wife who was admitted to the naval hospital for menstrual pain and died within weeks, due to negligent care and surgical procedure.
$1 million settlement
AIR FORCE VETERAN DIED FROM SUB-STANDARD MEDICAL CARE
A mother of twins admitted to the Navy Hospital ER with chest pains died of an aortic rupture after her medical team failed to perform necessary diagnostic tests and appreciate the life-threatening nature of her condition. Her family recovered $1.5 million from the U.S. government, under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
$1.5 million settlement
FORMER NAVY SIGNALMAN LOST WIFE OF 40 YEARS
Violations in standard of care at naval hospital lead to the death of Navy wife with a treatable heart condition. Case was concluded with the settlement of a wrongful death claim in an undisclosed amount on behalf of her surviving spouse, a retired Navy Signalman First Class.
UNSTERILIZED INSTRUMENTS USED ON NAVY DEPENDENT
A call from her physician at the naval hospital informed the wife of a Navy Officer that her hernia operation had just been performed with unsterile instruments. She was required to undergo testing for a series of blood-borne conditions, including HIV and Hepatitis. While a Standard Form 95 for medical malpractice has been filed on her behalf, she continues to require testing to confirm she did not contract any disease as a result of being exposed to medical procedures that fell far below the standard of care.
Military Aviation Accidents:
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN KILLED IN CRASH OF TURBO-PROP AIRCRAFT WITH UNTESTED MODIFICATIONS
A settlement for $3.75 million was negotiated for five families of the Virginia Air National Guard who were passengers on a troop-carrying aircraft that suddenly became unstable and broke apart in flight, killing all aboard. Investigation revealed that the plane’s manufacturers had made modifications to it that had a dangerous effect on its longitudinal stability.
$3.75 million verdict
MILITARY HELICOPTER’S FAULTY FUEL TANK DESIGN LEADS TO FIERY CRASH
A jury verdict of $22.5 million was awarded to the families of servicemen who were killed or injured after their Blackhawk Helicopter became uncontrollable, crashed, and burst into flames while landing at an Army airfield in Germany. The manufacturer’s defense of pilot error was discredited by an investigation that proved the aircraft’s fuel tank design was the actual cause of the accident. The jury verdict was upheld on appeal by the United States Supreme Court.
$22.5 million verdict
Civilian Aviation Accidents:
CRASH OF IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED AIRCRAFT INJURES PILOT AND PASSENGER
An engine stall during flight caused a rental aircraft to crash, injuring all aboard. Investigation proved that the aircraft had been improperly maintained and the case was concluded in a settlement for the policy limits of the aircraft owner’s insurance.
Automobile and Trucking Accidents:
CAR SEAT FAILURE AND FAULTY AUTO DESIGN CAUSED MULTIPLE DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURY
A major automotive manufacturer provided a settlement after the crash of a van resulted in two deaths and serious injury to a third individual. These catastrophic results were caused by the vehicle’s roll-over and a collapsing seat back – both elements of a faulty automotive design that failed to protect vehicle occupants during an accident sequence.
$2.75 million settlement
Personal Injury/Wrongful Death:
FAMILY OF SLAIN CHILD PREVAILED IN CIVIL COURT
A judge awarded $5 million to the family whose seven-month old daughter was killed by the babysitter retained to care for the infant. This civil court case took a number of years to come to trial, as it had to wait for the conclusion of the criminal case against the babysitter, who now is in prison serving an eight-year sentence.
$5 million verdict
Defective Products:
FORMER SMOKER’S LUNG CANCER LED TO HISTORIC VERDICT AGAINST BIG TOBACCO
A judgment in excess of $2 million was obtained against a major cigarette manufacturer on behalf of a smoking-addicted 61-year old who contracted lung cancer. This ground-breaking victory represented the very first time in American history that a cigarette company was held liable for its defective product and wrongful conduct.
$2 million settlement