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Medical malpractice: Girl awarded $135 million in lawsuit

On Behalf of | Jul 4, 2018 | Doctor Errors

Every day in Massachusetts and across the country, thousands of people undergo surgeries and other medical procedures. Doctors, surgeons and other medical personnel are entrusted with the care of these patients. Although most procedures are fairly common and routine, mistakes can be made any time humans are involved. When mistakes are made during medical procedures, the patient unfortunately suffers the consequences. Medical malpractice is one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States.

A 17 year-old girl in another state was recently awarded $135 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit after a procedure left her with permanent injuries. According to the lawsuit, the girl underwent a surgical procedure to correct the curvature of her spine. In this procedure, the lawsuit said a doctor placed rods along her spine which were supposed to relieve compression in her spinal cord.

The lawsuit alleged that, instead of correcting the girl’s spine, the rods affected her bladder, bowel and limbs. Ten days later, another doctor recognized something was wrong and removed the rods, the lawsuit said. However, the plaintiffs said that the damage had already been done and the girl was left with significant injuries, which included permanent weakness in her arms and legs, as well as loss of bladder and bowel control. In one of the largest medical malpractice awards this year in the United States, the girl was awarded $135 million.

Although modern technology and stringent health care regulations have vastly improved patient safety, thousands of people are injured every year by the negligence of surgeons and doctors. Massachusetts families who have been affected by medical malpractice could benefit by seeking the services of an experienced attorney. A successful medical malpractice lawsuit could result in much-needed compensation to offset expenses and help ease the pain and suffering that often comes with this experience.