The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

Westchester County, New York saw the largest medical malpractice award in its history when a jury awarded a 30-year-old woman $48 million in her medical malpractice suit against a Mount Vernon internist. There were originally four others named as defendants in the case, but reached settlements before the end of the trial.

Beginning in February 2000, the victim had complained of severe pain in both her legs to Mount Vernon Hospital doctors. The defendants failed to diagnose the problem as a spinal tumor called an astrocytoma. When the tumor was finally diagnosed correctly, the victim suffered permanent damage. She must now get around in a wheelchair most of the time.

The jury found she was owed for pain and suffering, medical expenses and rehabilitation. They found the internist 30 percent liable (he must pay at least $14.4 million), the hospital 25 percent liable, an OB-GYN 15 percent liable, an association the OB-GYN belongs to ten percent liable, and another internist ten percent liable. A doctor who was not named as a defendant in the suit was also found to be ten percent responsible, but the ruling does not carry any legal liability.

The victim is obviously relieved in the ruling. She has been working with a therapist so that she can sometimes get around on crutches, and is able to drive with adaptive technology. However, this happened to the victim when she was 20-years-old. While she is finally able to claim victory, she will be living with this for the rest of her life.

Don't let the negligence of those who are supposed to care for you keep you from the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury through the negligence of a doctor or the staff of a hospital, please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at the Cochran Firm for an initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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