NC Hospital Held Responsible for Veteran’s Death
Jason Powell, a 20-year Army veteran, arrived at the Asheville VA Medical Center complaining of flu-like symptoms. It was determined that he had diverticulitis and a bowel perforation and he was admitted to the facility.
When his wife visited the hospital, she was informed that her husband had been abruptly moved to the ICU after it was discovered that he was not breathing. Several hours later, Powell was pronounced dead, leaving his wife and three children.
Did a Medical Error Cause His Death?
Powell was being prescribed Dilaudid in the hospital, a powerful narcotic that is similar to morphine. Medical records showed he was to receive a 1 mg dosage every four hours. He was apparently administered 4 mg doses two separate times. It is believed that the dosage caused him to suddenly stop breathing.
His wife has said that a physician told her that the two 4 mg dosages had been administered in error; however, the medical center never formally stated it was responsible. The family brought a medical malpractice suit. Dr. Carl Bazemore, who managed the ICU, stated in his deposition that he could not confirm that the death was an overdose, based on the timing of the second dose. Bazemore felt that the autopsy, which cited a heart attack as the cause of death, was likely correct. The lawsuit was resolved by an out-of-court settlement, which did not specifically assign fault to the hospital.
After the incident, a hospital spokesman expressed sadness for the family’s loss and reiterated their commitment to providing quality care. US Treasury Department records indicate that the VA paid roughly 2,500 claims in medical malpractice cases over the prior five-year period, totaling over $9 million.
Major Error at a Hospital in Georgia
Non-VA hospitals are no stranger to errors, either. In 2014, a 26-year-old woman received a prescription to lamotrigine. Shortly after using the medication she developed blisters throughout her body and her skin was described as “burning and melting.” She endured traumatic pain and was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare condition stemming from an allergy to the medication. She brought a civil suit after spending five weeks in the hospital, where her skin continued to “peel.” She has lasting effects including loss of her fingernails, no functionality in her sweat glands, and problems with vision.
Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Hanover County
Rhine Law Firm, P.C., has been pursuing justice on behalf of North Carolina victims in medical malpractice actions for several decades. We have the experience and resources to uncover issues such as never events, surgical errors, birth injuries, prescription errors, and failures in diagnosis.
You may have a limited time to bring a claim, so contact our office at (910) 772-9960 for a free consultation today.
About Us
Rhine Law Firm, P.C. serves clients throughout North Carolina and nationwide, specializing in complex civil litigation led by Joel Rhine. With expertise in personal injury, car accidents, property damage, sex abuse, and more, the firm is passionate about taking on challenging cases. They emphasize providing personalized legal representation, prioritizing their clients’ best interests while offering state-of-the-art legal strategies. Rhine Law Firm’s dedicated attorneys enjoy the fight for justice and are committed to guiding clients through complicated legal processes. The firm offers free consultations, flexible appointment scheduling, and Spanish language services.
