Congratulations to Advocate Capital, Inc. friend and client Joseph L. Anderson of Anderson Pangia & Associates and his client on the confidential settlement of a horrific medical malpractice case against a North Carolina hospital and three (3) physicians.
The plaintiff was a 62 year old male who was admitted for laparoscopic removal of his gall bladder. Prior to surgery, the plaintiff was taking the blood thinner Coumadin which was discontinued pre-op as a standard precautionary measure. As a substitute, the blood thinner Heparin was used both before and after the successful laparoscopic procedure. In spite of the fact that the plaintiff has profuse bleeding issues with a higher dose of Heparin pre-op, the surgeon erroneously ordered the higher dosage of Heparin post-op. After decreasing the dosage from 18 to 9 units, plaintiff’s bleeding seemed to be under control. However, one of the hospital physician assistants later noticed that the patient’s hemoglobin level was declining rapidly and suggested a transfusion which would have been appropriate treatment with a questionable intra-abdominal bleeding. Unfortunately, the diagnostic ultrasound was performed on the wrong part of the abdomen. On the third day post-surgery, the physician added an additional blood thinner on top of the Heparin.
Subsequently, the plaintiff’s surgical drain was removed and a pad placed over the site. During discovery there was extensive testimony from the nursing staff regarding the frequency of the bandage changes due to the profuse bleeding.
Plaintiff was discharged home but began experiencing abdominal pain in the parking lot as he was leaving the facility. Once home, he became diaphoretic, sweating and experienced a rapid drop in blood pressure. An ambulance was called and he was transported to the hospital but died shortly thereafter. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was over anti-coagulation and that the wound site in the gall bladder area of the abdomen had been oozing continuously.
Mr. Anderson concentrates his practice in complex litigation including medical malpractice, nursing home abuse/neglect and other catastrophic injuries. He is a Harvard Law honors graduate and frequent lecturer at the Wake Forest University School of Law. Additionally, Mr. Anderson is an amazing humanitarian and a published author. To read of his experiences in Calcutta in his book The Light Within – A Travel Log of India and his permanent endowment to the children there, click here.
Advocate Capital, Inc. is proud to support trial lawyers like Joseph Anderson who hold hospitals and doctors accountable for negligent treatment to our citizens.
Senior Vice President
