Nearly $30 million awarded in medical malpractice case

As most Louisiana residents are aware, doctors keep very detailed records of a patient’s health history, which includes not only past illnesses and injuries but also allergies. When treated quickly and correctly, allergic reactions are not often fatal. However, if doctors do not act quickly, or fail to administer the proper treatment for these reactions, then the results can be deadly. In those instances, families may choose to file a medical malpractice suit. A jury recently awarded $29.5 million to a family after their loved one died due to a doctor’s failure to properly identify and treat her allergic reaction.

In June 2015, a woman died after receiving a CT scan. She had apparently had an allergic reaction to the contrast dye given to her before the scan was taken. She suffered from anaphylactic shock and eventually lost consciousness.

The doctor administering the scan was accused of negligence after failing to properly treat the patient’s allergic reaction. When the patient began reacting poorly to the dye the doctor administered Benadryl rather than take note of the woman’s vital signs. He also did not administer epinephrine which is used to reverse anaphylactic shock. After the patient’s death, her family was awarded $29.5 million in damages.

People of all ages across the country live with allergies both minor and severe. However, sometimes a person is unaware of an allergy or is for some reason unable to self-treat it. It is in these situations that people often rely on doctors. Patients in Louisiana who have been injured or killed due to a doctor’s negligence or other mistakes could benefit from speaking with an attorney about filing a medical malpractice suit. Victims or their families may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral costs and other documented damages.