New Mexico residents may have heard about a surgery that took place in Dec. 2013 on a young girl. A 13-year-old girl went to the hospital to undergo surgical treatment for her sleep apnea. Unfortunately, the family believes that mistakes that occurred at the hospital by the medical staff are what led to the unfortunate brain damage and injury that the girl has suffered.
The family has decided to move forward with a lawsuit against the hospital where the surgery took place. Due to the statute of limitations concerns, both negligence and a wrongful death claim, based on medical malpractice, will be pursued, with the understanding that the wrongful death allegations would apply if the girl dies due to the injuries claimed. The family says that they have never even received any explanation or details regarding exactly what happened after the surgery, which the family says was more invasive than needed. Further, the surgeon apparently discovered during the operation that the child may have had a malformed carotid and failed to mention it to anyone, despite the fact that it could lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Following the surgery, the girl began coughing up a significant amount of blood. The nurses on staff couldn’t decide whether to leave the blood to clot or to suction it. The mother requested that the physician be called. Unfortunately, the doctor didn’t come in for several hours, and the family members were left to suction the blood themselves without help from the nurses. During that time, the girl’s health significantly deteriorated as her oxygen levels and heart rate decreased.
Sadly, she eventually went into cardiac arrest. She was then declared brain-dead and was placed on life support. She was eventually moved from the California hospital where she had the surgery to a hospital across the country. Now, the girl can reportedly move her arms and feet.
When a patient does not get the attention and care necessary from medical professionals before, during, and after a surgical procedure here in New Mexico, the victim and the victim’s family have the right to pursue legal action. A successful claim will bring evidence to the table that sheds light on the seriousness of the mistakes that were made that led to the injury. It can also provide financial relief that is very much needed after medical expenses add up and other financial damages are sustained.
Source: ABC News, “Family of California Teen Declared Brain Dead Sues
