“To err is human” but when the error is caused by negligence or recklessness that results in an injury or death, the responsible parties can be held accountable for their actions. Accountability is precisely what the medical malpractice attorneys at Berkowitz and Hanna LLC pursue on behalf of their clients.
It is estimated that 400,000+ Americans die each year from medical errors, with one of the most common mistakes being the distribution of the wrong medication or dosage to a patient. Case in point is the recent $1.5M verdict awarded by a Pennsylvania jury to the widow of Simon A. Struzzeri seven years after his death from high blood pressure medication that was improperly administered to him following his heart surgery.
The retired elementary school teacher had heart surgery on the morning of March 30, 2007. Later that day, a hospital nurse administered the high blood pressure drug, Labetalol. Although the potent drug lowers blood pressure, it can also interfere with the heart’s squeezing mechanism. According to the family’s complaint, filed against Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Wyoming Valley Healthcare System, Inc., Mr. Struzzeri “suffered extensive pain and suffering prior to his death.” His estate was awarded $10,000 in death-related expenses, $280,000 in economic damages and $1.2 million for emotional distress.
Berkowitz and Hanna LLC knows that medical negligence can lead to serious and costly repercussions for medical practitioners as well as their patients. When this occurs, compensation to the injured party is the just result.
Note: Berkowitz and Hanna LLC did not represent any of the parties in this case.
Photo by J. Troha via Wikimedia Commons.
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