Patient, 39, dies after delayed diagnosis

'Warning letter' should have alerted physician to potential dangers

Decedent Patrick Cavanaugh, 39, went to Sparrow Hospital with flu-like symptoms on July 20, 2003. He had experienced a persistent fever for 10 days prior.

After an evaluation by physicians from the Michigan State University Health Team, he was admitted.

Ultimately, Cavanaugh was suffering from a fungal infection known as histoplasmosis; however, it was not timely diagnosed by the internal medicine and infectious disease physicians managing his care.

Adding to his trouble, Cavanaugh had previously been diagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis, and was taking a cocktail of medications known to compromise one's immune system.

In particular, Cavanaugh's regime included Remicade, which tests had shown could increase a patient's likelihood of developing life-threatening infections such as histoplasmosis.

According to Matthew G. Curtis, who represents the decedent's estate, one of the treating physicians was aware of the dangers of Remicade, because in October 2001, he received a warning letter from Remicade's manufacturer alerting doctors to the potential dangers.

Nevertheless, Cavanaugh was not treated with any antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral medications during the first nine days of his admission.

And, by the time he received any medicine, his systems had begun to fail and it was too late to save him, Curtis said.

After his death, Cavanaugh's estate and survivors filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Ingham County, where a jury awarded them $9.1 million in damages.

Type of action: Medical malpractice

Type of injuries: Death

Name of case: Cavanaugh, et al., v. Dwamena, et al.

Court/Case no./Date: Ingham County Circuit Court; 05 972 NH; March 2008

Tried before: Jury

Name of judge: Thomas Brown

Verdict amount: $9.1 million

Attorneys for plaintiff: Matthew G. Curtis, Richard L. Groffsky

Attorney for defendant: Anita B. Folino
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