Virginia Jury Awards Over $5 Million in Surgical Fire
Imagine that a loved one is undergoing surgery when something goes horribly wrong. Imagine that you are the patient who wakes up to discover that your whole life has changed. You would have the right to expect compensation. This is the story of a woman who suffered a catastrophic accident at INOVA Fairfax Hospital late in 2013.
According to reports, the woman was undergoing surgery when a doctor utilized a cautery tool while oxygen was being administered. The surgeon did not complete a risk assessment. Had the surgeon done his job properly, he would not have used the cautery tool near the woman’s temple while the oxygen was on.
As a result of the surgeon’s lack of care, a fire broke out. The patient suffered burns to her shoulder, back, chest, neck and face. The burns were second and third degree. The patient was subjected to years of painful treatment after the fire, and her treatments resulted in scarring. A jury awarded $5.13 million, but the state cap in Virginia will lessen that amount to $2.1 million.
Attorneys for the woman made a statement following the verdict. They say that they hope that legislators will see this case and realize that caps on medical malpractice cases are unfair. Each case of medical malpractice is unique and should be treated as such. Limiting the amount of compensation that a victim may recover is not a governmental issue.
If you have been injured by a doctor in San Bernardino, you have the right to file a lawsuit seeking damages for your injuries. Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and let us advise you of your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for current and future medical bills, lost wages and more.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.