Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
Air Force veteran Robert Metzler often visited the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center for routine procedures, including colonoscopies In 2007, Metzler had a colonoscopy and in 2009 received a letter from the VA’s administration warning him that he had been exposed to a “potential health risk” related to his procedure.
Metzler, who had tested negative for hepatitis C in 2006, was diagnosed with the disease just days after he received the warning letter. The letter informed Metzler that he was one of more than 11,000 veterans who had undergone colonoscopies with dirty equipment at VA hospital in Miami, Tennessee and Georgia. During the colonoscopy, the hospital never sterilized the equipment between patients; rather the equipment was simply rinsed. “Investigators who took apart water tubes on some of the equipment that was supposed to be clean and ready for use instead found ‘discolored liquid and debris.'”
Metzler and his wife filed a medical malpractice suit and asked for $30 million in damages. Judge Jordan awarded them $1.25 for their claim. The VA Hospital admitted that it had breached a duty of care to the patient, but denied that Metzler had contracted the disease during his colonoscopy. A board-certified doctor testified that there was “less than a 0 percent change” Metzler had contracted the disease through the procedure, but the judge disagreed. According to the ruling, “despite acknowledging that VA records ‘strongly suggest’ Metzler couldn’t have been infected by the colonoscopy, the veteran had no other risks associated with contracting the virus.”
Vet who contracted Hep C wins malpractice suit against VA hospital, www.miamiherald.com November 21, 2012.
Doctors are expected to treat their patients with an appropriate standard of care and when they fail to treat their patients in such a manner, they become liable for any injuries. If you or your loved one has suffered injuries as a result of medical error or negligence, contact the Miami medical malpractice lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona today. The Coral Gables personal injury lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims and their families recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. If you believe you’ve been injured as a result of medical malpractice or from use of a defective medical device, call the insurance litigation lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona! Don’t hesitate! Call (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation!
The Miami medical malpractice lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of medical malpractice injuries throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, defective medical devices, motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls and construction site injuries. Call the Miami personal injury attorneys at (305) 661-2008 for your free consultation. Call today and let our family take care of your family!