Medical Malpractice

This tragic case involved a two week-old baby who died after his treatment team failed to act on alarming test results. Attorneys Jonathan M. Petty and Brielle Hunt negotiated the case in mediation and secured a $1.4 million settlement on behalf of the baby’s mother. Background of the case A 17-year-old single mother brought her…

Phelan Petty’s Jonathan M. Petty secured a $750,000 settlement for a woman who suffered permanent blindness in her right eye after cataract surgery. Case background The plaintiff, a 53-year-old woman, underwent cataract surgery on her left eye by the defendant ophthalmologist without complication. She experienced no pain or discomfort after the surgery. One week later,…

On September 12, 2022, Phelan Petty’s Brielle Hunt secured a $375,000 settlement for a patient who suffered a fractured femur in a hospital fall. Background of the case The plaintiff presented to the defendant facility complaining of bilateral worsening leg weakness and pain. She was accompanied by her daughter. Her daughter allegedly explained that the…

Multiple infants at the Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Henrico County, Virginia, recently suffered unexplained fractures. The shocking discovery led to the temporary closure of the facility’s neonatal care unit (NICU) as the hospital and investigators worked to uncover the cause. When the story aired, one family was horrified to hear that this had happened to…

Medical malpractice is complex and highly challenging to prove. Yet, 2023 was a record year for eye-popping medical malpractice verdicts in the U.S. According to Medscape, juries awarded $10 million or more in 57 medical malpractice lawsuits in 2023, and over half of those reached $25 million or more. Here are some examples: In December…

When considering the life-saving potential of organ donations, it is essential for individuals to approach the process with caution and an informed mindset. While organ transplantation has revolutionized medical treatment, cases of medical malpractice surrounding organ donations underscore the importance of vigilance and thorough evaluation. By understanding the potential risks and taking necessary precautions, individuals…

Patients in Richmond have a right to trust that if they need to go to their nearest emergency room, the ER doctors will make the correct diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment. A misdiagnosis can cause a patient to suffer until the accurate diagnosis is made. A misdiagnosis can also mean that opportunity for necessary treatment…

Fires that occur in the operating room are among the most terrifying and dramatic disasters that can happen during a surgery. Though they are relatively uncommon, there are an average of 650 operating room fires in the U.S. annually, which often cause serious injuries and even death to the helpless patient. Operating fires are preventable…

In a recent criminal case out of Ohio, a former physician was acquitted of 14 counts of murder after allegedly causing the deaths of his patients by ordering excessive amounts of fentanyl. The case was followed with interest by medical experts, legal professionals, doctors and nurses across the country, as the case raised significant questions…

Unless you are a medical professional, you are likely unaware of the term “never event.” Never events in healthcare are exactly what they sound like – events that should never occur; egregious and catastrophic incidents during medical treatment that typically leave a patient permanently injured or disabled, or result in death. Ken Kizer, MD first…