$2,500,000 Settlement For Family whose Mom Had Splenic Rupture Following Colonoscopy.

A woman in her mid-60s was having trouble keeping her food down, lost her appetite and lost over 30 pounds to the point where she was significantly underweight.  Doctors prescribed a colonoscopy to help assess cause of her digestive track issues.  Use of instruments in performing the colonoscopy created just enough force on the spleen to cause it to rupture and bleed.  This is a rare complication that can happen in the absence of any negligence of the surgeon performing the colonoscopy.  It can take several hours for signs of a rupture to show so she was appropriately discharged with instructions to return if she became increasingly nauseous, weak or dizzy.

The next day, she called 911 as she was nauseous and so weak she could not get out of bed.  She informed doctors and nurses in the emergency room that she had just had a colonoscopy the day before;  therefore, those caring for her should have considered that something during the colonoscopy could have caused the bleeding based on her presentation (nausea and weakness).  Further, blood tests showed low hemoglobin levels, which would have been another sign of internal bleeding.  A simple CT scan of her abdomen would have confirmed the laceration.

Unfortunately, a CT was not performed timely.  By the time the rupture was discovered, it was too late.  She lost too much blood, and suffered cardiac arrest.  She passed shortly after surgery to repair her spleen.

The Baer Law Firm represented her two adult daughters to hold the hospital accountable for what happened to their mom.  The Baer Law Firm was able to obtain a settlement before suit was filed – rare in medical malpractice cases.  The daughters received money just in time to celebrate what would have been their mom’s 64^th birthday.  They are establishing a college fund for their children, a life-long dream of their mom’s.

For those in McDonough seeking trusted legal representation, explore our McDonough personal injury lawyer services for more information.

Bryan Baer

Attorney Bryan Baer has twenty (20) years of legal experience representing clients in serious and catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice cases. He has been first chair in more than a dozen twelve-person jury trials on both the plaintiff and defense sides. Recognized as a leader in his legal community, he is frequently asked to speak at legal seminars on trial topics ranging from “Best Practices in Voire Dire” to “Maximizing Damages at Trial” as well as insurance issues such as “Navigating the Insurance Landscape” and “Injury Demands & Negotiations.” Learn more here.