Woman Awarded $9.3 Million in Medical Malpractice Suit Involving Drug Overdose

Barbara G. Lathan’s story represents every hospital patient’s worst nightmare.  Ms. Lathan, a 72-year-old Connecticut resident, went to the Bridgeport Hospital, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for treatment of a simple urinary tract infection back in October of 2007.  Aside from the minor urinary tract infection, Ms. Lathan was a picture of health, active and enjoying life.  The medical issue should have been readily treated and resolved; instead, Ms. Lathan left the hospital 75 days later, wheelchair bound with a plethora of permanent medical issues.

Ms. Lathan alleged in her civil suit against the hospital that she was given an overdose of the drug Lovenox during her stay there.  Lovenox is an anticoagulant medication used to help reduce the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis or DVT.  When used in the normal amount, the drug is no doubt safe and proficient.  According to Ms. Lathan, however, the staff at the Bridgeport hospital administered to her a lethal dose.

After the overdose of Lovenox was administered, Ms. Lathan actually died and had to be revived.  To keep her alive, Ms. Lathan needed multiple blood transfusions and numerous surgeries.  The surgical procedures were done in an attempt to control the internal bleeding and prevent further organ damage.  Following the surgeries, she became even more ill and had to have a central line inserted in her neck.  An abscess the size of an orange developed due to a MRSA infection.

Ms. Lathan was eventually discharged from the hospital 75 days after she entered it for treatment of a minor urinary tract infection.  In that 75 days, Ms. Lathan endured excruciating pain and suffering.  Her life will be forever altered by the negligence of the hospital staff.  She now has serious ongoing medical issues that will likely continue for the rest of her life.

Recently, Ms. Lathan received some justice for her harrowing experience.  A Connecticut jury awarded her $9,279,884.95 to compensate her for her previous and continued medical costs, her pain, suffering, and loss of ability to enjoy her life.  This award represents a significant victory for Ms. Lathan, as well as for all victims of medical malpractice involving medication mistakes.

Medication errors are just one of many common mistakes made by doctors and hospitals nationwide.  A 2006 study estimated that medication errors harmed approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. each year.  Medication errors can occur in a variety of ways.  Some of the most common errors involve medication dosages, as in Ms. Lathan’s case.  Medication dosage errors can occur when the doctor writes an incorrect dosage on the prescription, or when the nurse administers an incorrect medication dosage even though the prescription was correct.  Medication dosage errors can also occur if there is a failure in equipment used to administer medication, such as a faulty intravenous pump.

In Tennessee, medication errors sadly happen far too often in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and pharmacies across the state.  Statistics show that Tennesseans use between 15 and 17 prescriptions per person each year.  This does not take into account the frequent use of over-the-counter medications and herbs or supplements, which can also be incorrectly administered.  With such prevalent use of medications, there is sadly much room for medical error.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medication error, the Tennessee law firm of Bailey & Greer can help.  Bailey & Greer is an expert team of Tennessee medical malpractice attorneys with years of experience handling all varieties of medical malpractice claims, including medication errors.  Bailey & Greer will work tirelessly to see that you, like Ms. Lathan, receive the compensation you deserve.  Call us today at 901-680-9777 for a free consultation.