Sommers Schwartz attorney Robert Sickels secured a confidential settlement for the estate of a man who died after he suffered burns caused by a fire that broke out at the beginning of a surgical procedure.

After suffering an injury working on a project at home, the man was taken to the hospital for evaluation of suspected bone cancer. During a lymph node biopsy procedure, a cautery device arced and set an oxygen source on fire, along with surgical drapes and towels. The patient sustained burns to his face, nose, neck, chest, and respiratory tract, and was transferred to the ICU where he was intubated and sedated. He fell in and out of consciousness and steadily declined. Nine days after the surgery, the family elected to terminate further care. The patient was extubated and allowed to pass.

The parties agreed to the settlement prior to the filing of a lawsuit.