Roger Littman and Omar Fayez received a not guilty verdict for their client, a cardiologist, following a 2-week trial of the medical malpractice matter.
Our client was a cardiologist who performed diagnostic procedures that revealed poor function of the 28-year-old patient’s mitral valve, which controls blood flow between chambers of the heart. He brought in a surgeon who performed a repair. The patient developed bleeding complications and anemia immediately. Two weeks later, the surgeon explored the repair and found it intact. A hematologist was brought in and began a protocol of high-dose steroids and immunological suppressants. Our client and the surgeon continued to see him and make suggestions. Ten weeks after surgery, the patient was transferred to a University center, where he was scheduled for immediate surgery but died before it began. Autopsy revealed breakdown of the valve.
The hospital (on behalf of the hematologist) and the surgeon both reached high/low agreements just before closing arguments. Roger and Omar offered $50,000 to settle the matter but withdrew the offer after jury selection. The plaintiff asked the jury for $10.6 million, but the jury found that these medical professionals had practiced within their respective standards of care and delivered a not guilty verdict for all defendants.
