Pediatric Malpractice

Settlement on the eve of trial in a medical malpractice case brought on behalf of a minor against a doctor at a major Boston-area hospital. After a series of worrisome symptoms, the defendant pediatrician diagnosed the minor as suffering from cluster headaches, a very rare condition for children.  Despite this diagnosis, the pediatrician never ordered any imaging of the minor’s brain to confirm what was actually causing her symptoms. Over a year later, the child was rushed to the hospital after suffering from seizures where imaging finally revealed that she in fact had an arteriovenous malformation, which had ruptured and caused a stroke. This condition could have been diagnosed and surgically alleviated had imaging been performed earlier. The child is permanently disabled as a result of the rupture.

Settlement for parents of 11-year-old girl after her tragic and preventable death at a Boston hospital. Following laser surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, the child began vomiting and complaining of nausea that was not helped with medication. She later became extremely sleepy, and the nurse had to shake the patient in order to wake her up. The ICU team decided the patient’s symptoms were a reaction to the anesthesia and medication, and negligently failed to order any testing or imaging to rule out brain swelling or fluid buildup. Hours later the child became unresponsive. It was discovered she had hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and she developed severe complications as a result. The girl lapsed into a coma and passed away days later.

SUGARMAN attorneys were able to reached a settlement during trial of a medical malpractice case on behalf of a now young girl and her parents.  Weeks after her birth, the infant presented to a Boston-area hospital with respiratory distress. Despite showing signs of continued problems with breathing, the hospital staff discharged the infant home with her parents. Within 10 hours, the infant was found not breathing and suffered a severe brain injury due to lack of oxygen. SUGARMAN alleged through expert testimony that the infant’s brain injury would have been prevented or severely lessened had she been in the hospital when her respiratory condition became critical.

Settlement of medical malpractice lawsuit for 10-year-old patient whose tumor doubled in size as a result of delay in diagnosis.