In an effort to properly diagnose patients, doctors often rely upon so-called routine procedures. One such procedure that is readily used to aid in the diagnosis of stomach ailments, is an endoscopy. When an endoscopy is administered, doctors snake a small camera down the throat of a patient in order to view possible obstructions or problems. Although considered routine, the procedure requires patients to be sedated.

The parents of a 19-year-old girl recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against two doctors and a hospital after their daughter suffered severe brain damage while undergoing an endoscopy procedure. The young woman's parents rushed her to the hospital after she complained of stomach pain. In an effort to diagnose the young woman's condition, doctors administered an endoscopy.

During the procedure, the young woman's heart rate and blood pressure fell at an alarming rate.
As a result, the young woman suffered severe brain damage which left her paralyzed, blind and unable to speak or effectively communicate. The young woman's parents are no longer able to care for their daughter or manage her health care needs. As a result, they were forced to put their once vibrant and energetic daughter into a long-term living facility.

The parents recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital and two doctors who were entrusted with the girl's care. In the lawsuit, the parents' allege the defendants are negligent in failing to properly monitor their daughter's vital stats and take appropriate and prompt medical action to intervene. The lawsuit asserts that the young woman's severe brain injury and resulting state are a direct result of the defendants' negligence.

Source: NBC 4 New York, "Family Sues Hospital for Negligence After Daughter Left Brain-Damaged," Tracie Strahan, May 6, 2013