Ohio residents take for granted that there is little to no danger in undergo routine surgical procedures. Sadly, such procedures are where medical mistakes are most frequently made.
A 17-year old high school student recently died following a wisdom teeth surgical extraction. During the surgery the girl's heart rate began to decrease as she was likely being deprived of oxygen. The autopsy report listed her as a "healthy teenager with no significant medical history," but she died soon after the surgery due to acute brain injury.
Her parents have now filed a lawsuit against two doctors, the anesthesiologist and three dental practitioners. The complaint alleges that the doctors failed to resuscitate the young girl as her heart beat began to falter.
Though this would seem to be an open and shut case, there really is no such thing as a simple medical malpractice lawsuit. Attorneys for defendants in this case are seeking to introduce medical records that may show the patient had a number of undisclosed mental and physical health conditions that could have contributed to her death such as stress, anxiety and possible heart disease.
Without knowing the exact nature of such records it is difficult to know the reasons for why the defense wants such records admitted. It's possible that such records will reveal some other contributor to the girl's death, but it's also possible that the defense is simply attempting to muddy the waters concerning the actual cause of death.
Because of the complexities of such cases, it is always best for victims of medical malpractice to seek attorneys that are very experienced in the area. Such victims are facing large hospitals and insurance companies with large legal staffs. Attorneys representing such victims can ascertain what did occur to cause an injury or death and can deliver what occurred to the jury simply and concisely.
The fact of the matter is that 17-year old girls should not be dying of brain damage following surgery. Medical providers whose negligence may have caused such a death need to be held accountable.
Source: Baltimore Sun, "Lawyers question Olenick's health prior to surgery death," by Kevin Rector, May 3, 2012