Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
Sixty-seven year old Harold Hicks took an annual golf vacation, leaving the cold winter in Chesapeake, Ohio for some warmer weather down in Orlando, Florida. However, this year’s vacation was anything but fun. Hicks came to Orlando in January of 2006, with his wife and a group of friends, intending to play some gold, visit local restaurants and enjoy their retirement. But Hicks suddenly developed some stomach pains.
After suffering the stomach pains for more than a day, Hicks’ wife took him to Kissimmee’s Osceola Regional Medical Center. Hicks was diagnosed with a blocked intestine and doctors informed him that his condition required surgery. Hicks’ anesthesiologist, Dr. Scott Wurm ordered a “breathing tube be inserted down Hicks throat,” but neither Dr. Wurm nor the nurses did so. Wurm also instructed the nurse-anesthetist to intubate Hicks and left the room while she did so, while standard practice dictates that the anesthesiologist should remain in the room and supervise the procedure. “After the nurse inserted the tube, Hicks threw up and then breathed the vomit into his lungs, nearly suffocating him and causing brain damage.”
Hicks died the following day after suffering an infection from the contaminated vomit he had inhaled. The insurer paid a $1 million settlement to Hicks’ wife, stating the doctor’s absence during the procedure was a relevant factor in the case.
Medical mishap turns golfer’s Central Florida vacation into tragedy, www.orlandosentinel.com August 07, 2011.
Doctors are expected to maintain a reasonable standard of care when treating their patients. Any deviation from the standard of care renders the doctor liable for any resulting injuries. Dr. Wurm’s absence in the room deviated from the expected standard of care, and thus, he was liable for the death of Harold Hicks. No person should lose his or her life because another is negligent. If you or a loved on has been the victim of medical malpractice or has suffered injuries as a result of a defective medical device, call the Palm Beach medical malpractice attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona today! The Hialeah personal injury attorneys have dedicated more than twenty years to helping victims recover compensation for their injuries. Don’t hesitate–call (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation!
The Miami medical malpractice attorneys 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 products, motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls and construction site injuries. Call today and let our family take care of your family!