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4.8 Million - Medical malpractice/Failure to test for Phenylketonuria. A Florida hospital failed to perform the state required test for PKU at birth of a female infant.
The test results were never recorded in the patient’s record and it was not until the patients sister was born 6 years later who tested positive for PKU that the parents had any idea as to why their daughter was mentally retarded. At that time the parents advised the sister’s physician that they had a mentally retarded sibling with an IQ of 56. Testing was ordered which was positive for PKU. An investigation conducted at the request of the Chief physician at the hospital revealed that the PKU test was never performed which if performed would have allowed for appropriate medical treatment preventing the retardation.
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1.2 Million - Medical Malpractice. A 49 year old female had been diagnosed with a herniated disc at L4-L5. Her physician performed a laminectomy to relieve her back pain. She continued to complain of back pain. A second mylogram performed by her physician revealed the herniated L4-L5 herniation with post operative fibrosis. A chemonucleolysis procedure was performed whereby Chymopapain was to be injected into the disc to relieve the complained of back pain. However, the radiographs revealed that the needle penetrated the thecal sac in the spine instead of the disc. The physician tendered his million dollar policy of insurance at mediation. Subsequently, the Chymopapain manufacturer paid an additional $200,000.
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1.2 Million - Lineman hired by FPL was hired to replace a part on its power lines. FPL failed to de-energize the lines where this independent contractor was working, resulting in the loss of his arm from the elbow down.
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569,000 - Owner of a drycleaning store suffered
multiple herniations when a 200lb watertank which was supended
from the ceiling fell onto the back of his neck while he
was working. The water tank along with the washer and dryer
was installed by the distributer of the equipment. The distributer
did not have the required contracting license to install the
equipment including the water tank which was negligently suspended
from the 15ft ceiling above a work area. The distributer denied
that they installed any of the equipment. In addition to filing
suit a complaint to the State licensing board was made for
performing contracting work without a license. The case was
settled shortly before trial and not long after the case was
settled the State licensing board who investigated the complaint
found the distributer guilty of performing contracting work
without a license.
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