Jacksonville injury lawyer Edwards & Ragatz will not shy away from cases that impact the community. In 2006, Lanette Gervato was 35 years and suffering from unexplained headaches as well as other bothersome symptoms. She sought care at the Shands Teaching Hospital which is part of the University of Florida. Tests performed at the hospital revealed a non-bleeding aneurysm. Doctors determined that a surgery in which coils were placed into the aneurysm was the best treatment option for Lanette. During the procedure, a member of the surgical team perforated one of the woman’s arteries in her brains. This surgical error was only the first of several medical mistakes that cost Lanette the use of one side of her body as well as a host of other medical problems.
In a later medical error, a visiting nurse observed symptoms that were consistent with a post-operative stroke after Lanette was prescribed Heparin, a blood-thinning medication. In spite of this observation, the nurse continued to give Lanette the medication. After an extensive delay, doctors discovered the problem, but the damage to the woman’s health had already occurred. Lanette’s brain had filled with blood with significant brain damage being the result.
Unfortunately, the complications experienced by Lanette at the hands of medical staff are irreversible. She is paralyzed on one side of her body, has vision problems and a host of other medical issues. The brain damage she incurred affects her reasoning skills and causes Lanette to have persistent pain. Since the time of the incident, Lanette has had to be hospitalized 10 times in order to be treated for various infections. Jacksonville injury lawyer like Edwards & Ragatz care when instances like this occur.
Not only has her life been ruined beyond repair, Lanette’s family has also suffered. Her husband was forced to stop working so that he can provide his wife with the constant care she needs. Worse still, the couple’s children had to go live with other family members as Lanette and her husband are unable to take care of them.
A lawsuit for medical malpractice was brought against the University of Florida. The visiting nurse settled a separate lawsuit for $1 million prior. A six-person jury panel in Alachua County heard the evidence of the botched medical procedure as well as the subsequent medical errors. They awarded Lanette $23 million. This award provides enough funding to allow Lanette and her husband to pay for care for her around the clock. It will enable them to regain as much normalcy as possible.
Lanette Gervato’s case highlights several common issues that could constitute medical malpractice including failing to properly monitor her vitals, post-operative care errors and surgical mistakes. The best course of action that you can take if you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a medical professional is to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one suffered from any form of medical malpractice, allow a Jacksonville injury lawyer to provide a free consultation. An attorney can provide you with legal assistance to determine if you have a case and help you receive compensation for your injuries. Contact an esteemed personal Jacksonville medical malpractice attorney at Edwards & Ragatz for a free consultation: (800) 366-1609; locally – (904) 399-1609; or through our website www.edwardsragatz.com