Negligence in Care: BTP Obtains $2.1 Million Settlement for Family in Sepsis Case

Partner Michael L. Teich recently obtained a $2.1 million settlement for the family of a 20 year old woman who died as a result of negligence by a hospital. The patient went to the emergency room with signs and symptoms of sepsis, which is a life-threatening infectious condition. The hospital staff recognized the patient was likely suffering from sepsis and required IV fluids, antibiotics and other treatment, yet her treatment was inexplicably delayed for several hours while her condition deteriorated. By the time she received her first IV fluids and first dose of antibiotics, more than seven hours after she arrived, it was too late, and the patient passed away. The hospital claimed that the patient’s symptoms could have been caused by a variety of conditions and that they acted within the standard of care by spending time evaluating the patient before starting treatment. The family and the hospital agreed to mediate the case before trial, and the case successfully settled at mediation.