Sommers Schwartz attorney Matthew Turner filed a medical malpractice lawsuit on behalf of a woman who suffered severe and permanent kidney damage due to the performance of an unnecessary CT scan with contrast that damaged the woman’s kidneys, requiring her to need  dialysis and ultimately a kidney transplant.  

According to the emergency room negligence complaint, the plaintiff presented to the defendant hospital’s emergency room with shortness of breath, which led to the discovery of abnormal kidney functioning as shown in her laboratory test results. Even though the plaintiff’s risk of a pulmonary embolism was low, the defendants ordered a CT scan with contrast to rule out the condition. The contrast used for this CT scan is known to present a risk of permanent kidney damage for those like the plaintiff who suffer from abnormal kidney function. The defendants performed the CT scan even though a less risky alternative – a D-Dimer test – could have ruled out a pulmonary embolism.

Because of the negligent ordering and performance of the CT scan with contrast, the plaintiff’ suffered a contrast-induced acute kidney injury. Her kidney functioning worsened and her kidney disease progressed rapidly, necessitating consistent and continued dialysis. She will eventually need a kidney transplant.

The hospital malpractice lawsuit seeks compensation for the plaintiff’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages.