Medical Malpractice: Verdicts, Settlements, and Experts

Plaintiff suffered from a cerebellar stroke. The stroke affected her ability to swallow and speak and left her paralyzed on her left side. A Dubhoff tube was placed to help her receive an adequate amount of nutrients. After a few days, she pulled out the Dubhoff tube. A PEG tube was placed. Plaintiff was receiving 1.5 Glucerna at 42 cc/hr. Plaintiff was discharged to Defendant nursing facility. The discharge note indicates that the Glucerna was infusing well.

Plaintiff arrived at Defendant nursing facility at 10:33 AM. At 11:58 AM, her vitals were checked. Her PEG tube was dislodged shortly thereafter and her condition started to deteriorate. At 4:45 PM, she was found nonresponsive, tachypneic, and hypotensive. Defendant’s staff failed to notice the dislodged PEG tube for several hours causing nutrients to leak into her abdominal cavity. Plaintiff suffered respiratory failure and septic shock as a result. Plaintiff underwent a partial gastrectomy. However, her condition continued to decline and she was transferred to hospice prior to her death.