Patients rely on the expertise of medical professionals everyday. Whether he or she requires a surgery for an injury, illness or an elective procedure, much trust is placed with the medical professionals performing the surgery. However, errors and medical negligence could occur, causing the patient to endure unexpected harm.
A routine vasectomy went terribly wrong at a UConn Health Center causing unbearable pain and loss of organ. The events that unfolded that day show how even doctor’s can make mistakes. Although there was no malice behind the doctor’s actions, it still caused financial strife and pain and suffering to the Connecticut man and his family nonetheless. That is why the family chose to file a malpractice claim against the doctor, which resulted in success.
The man was awarded $386,00 for his medical malpractice claim that caused him to lose his left testicle after a routine vasectomy went wrong. An urologist carried out the procedure but instead of tying off the vas deferens, he accidentally tied off a major artery in the testicle. According to the ER doctor 3 days later, the body part was likely dead in less than 24 hours due to the lack of blood supply. The pain and suffering and medical bills were a huge blow to the injured and his family as well.
The breakdown of the claim looked like this: the man was awarded economic damages of $36,249 and noneconomic damages in the amount of $300,000. The victim’s wife was awarded $50,000 for her loss of consortium claim. These different types of damages show what can potentially be awarded in malpractice claims. Each damage covers some type of loss, whether it is financial, emotional or physical.
It is important to understand that although the doctor made a terrible error; it was not intentional. However, it is also important to understand that although unintentional the doctor’s actions were negligible, causing much harm to the patient. Patients harmed by a medical professional should understand that they might be able to hold them responsible and seek recourses for their damages and losses.
Source: ctlawtribune.com, “Plaintiff collects $386,000 after botched vasectomy,” Christian Nolan, December 2, 2015
