Sommers Schwartz attorneys Matthew Turner and John Malone filed a medical malpractice lawsuit on behalf of a woman who suffered a debilitating stroke as a result of being prescribed contraindicated medications.

On March 1, 2022, Dana Tucker went to the ER at VHS Harper-Hutzel Hospital complaining of heavy vaginal bleeding, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. She also complained of dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, and shortness of breath. Tucker reported she had previously experienced daily heavy vaginal bleeding in January 2002 and intermittent bleeding in February. 

Before being admitted for observation, Ms. Tucker was given intravenous Premarin, an estrogen injection used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. The following day, she was examined by Hanna Perone, M.D., an obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) resident. Dr. Perone prescribed another dose of Premarin to treat the continued bleeding. The following morning, when Ms. Tucker’s bleeding continued, Dr. Perone prescribed tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic medication used to stop bleeding.

Tucker received three doses of tranexamic acid on March 3, 2022, and her bleeding decreased. Dr. Perone’s attending physician, Lanetta Coleman, M.D., examined Ms. Tucker after these treatments. She cleared Ms. Tucker to be discharged the following day and scheduled her for an outpatient hysterectomy.

The next morning, Ms. Tucker developed weakness and motor and sensory deficits in the left side of her body. Following a CT scan and neurological examination, she was diagnosed with a stroke. She was transferred first to the hospital’s medical intensive care unit and then to a neuro intensive care unit at Detroit Receiving Hospital, where she remained for more than two weeks.  

After being discharged, Ms. Tucker underwent extensive therapy but has been unable to recover full use of the left side of her body. She continues to suffer motor and sensory deficits that limit her ability to perform normal daily activities and reduce her quality of life.

In her lawsuit, Ms. Tucker alleges that Dr. Perone and Dr. Coleman were negligent in prescribing both Premarin and tranexamic acid, drugs that are contraindicated. The suit also includes claims against the pharmacists and hospital for negligently allowing the administration of these drugs together. The suit alleges the parties’ negligence and breach of the standard of care caused Ms. Tucker to suffer a debilitating stroke. Ms. Tucker seeks compensation for her past, current, and future pain, suffering, disability, mental anguish, and financial loss.