Failure to Investigate Pre-Surgical Tachycardia Results in Death

A New Jerseyman recently underwent elective shoulder surgery at a surgical facility outside of the hospital. Immediately prior to the start of the surgery, the anesthesiologist administered anesthesia to the man who, without warning, subsequently developed broad complex tachycardia (elevated heart rate). The anesthesiologist failed to investigate the cause of the tachycardia and elected to move forward with the procedure. Three hours following the procedure, the man died. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was a cardiac crisis resulting from pheochromocytoma a rare tumor of the adrenal gland. The man was survived by his wife, who sued the anesthesiologist and the surgical center for failing to discontinue the procedure to find the underlying cause of the complex tachycardia. The lawsuit also alleged that the decedent should have been administered additional medications and transferred to the hospital for stabilization. The defense, in turn, argued that the man’s condition was rare and unexpected and that there had been no abnormal heart rates seen during the surgery itself.

Prior to trial, the case settled for $2.5 million.

At STSW, our attorneys have successfully handled several cases involving the failure of various health care providers (surgeons, anesthesiologists, primary care physicians) to delay or cancel a planned surgery due to the development of an unexplained complication prior to surgery. Whether in the context of a standard pre-operative clearance performed by a patient’s primary care physician, or a complication that arises immediately prior to the surgery, all of these health care providers are charged with a duty to ensure that any proposed surgery is safe and poses no more than the traditional (or explained) risks of any surgery. If potential complications are flagged, these doctors are charged with the responsibility of finding the cause of the same and either treating the same or ensuring that it does not create an additional risk of harm to the patient.

If you or a loved one have been injured in the Baltimore or Washington D.C. area as the result of a health care provider’s decision to proceed with a surgery despite an increased risk of harm, call our team for a free consultation at (410) 385-2225.

Client Reviews

Great Lawyer and staff, very diligent and organized about gathering facts and information. Keeps you informed every step of the way. Very helpful with explaining the process in layman's terms and offering sound advice. Successful negotiations with settling the suit. Overall very...

Christine

Andy is an incredible person and lawyer. He studies the case and works hard preparing. He takes over the courtroom, but always very professional and courteous, but all eye and ear are on his every word when he speaks, and presence his well thought out case. I was scared, knowing...

Kathy

Andy represented me and my firm many years ago in a very complex civil litigation matter. I knew he was smart (Duke Law School) and I knew he was successful (several $100 million recoveries), but I was astounded how hard he works. He spends the time to read every word on every...

Steve

Contact Us

  1. 1 Free Consultation
  2. 2 Available 24/7
  3. 3 No Fee Unless You Win
Complete the contact form or call us at (800) 385-2243 to schedule your free consultation.

Leave Us a Message