Sommers Schwartz attorney Kenneth Watkins negotiated a $350,000 settlement in a claim for the wrongful death of an 82-year-old man. The patient died after undergoing back surgery. His death was an avoidable result of negligent post-operative care.

Following surgery, the patient had a tightening, distended abdomen and complained of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Over the next few days, his condition worsened, and he failed to pass any stool. His symptoms and subsequent testing suggested a small bowel ileus or obstruction that put him at risk for aspiration (inhaling fluid into the lungs). Unfortunately, his care team did not take appropriate action to treat this condition.

Instead, the healthcare team failed to meet the standard of care in multiple ways, including failing to emergently order appropriate tests, provide proper care, and initiate appropriate treatment protocols. In addition to suffering severe pain, the patient suffered projectile vomiting, eventually aspirating gastric contents. This led to sepsis, pneumonia, and death from respiratory failure.

The patient is survived by his wife, three children, and grandchildren. This lawsuit alleged his death resulted directly from the negligence and medical malpractice of multiple personnel. The parties negotiated the settlement after mediation.