Kentucky Medical Malpractice: Widow To Receive $975,000 to Settle Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against VA
The widow of a Kentucky man who bled to death after undergoing gallbladder surgery at a Veterans Affairs hospital has settled her wrongful death lawsuit with the government. Katrina Shank had sought $12 million when she filed her federal case alleging medical malpractice. The settlement she will receive is $975,000.
Robert Shank III underwent the procedure in August 2007. Katrina claims that the hospital provided her husband with substandard care. She also accuses the government of failing to properly check Dr Jose Veizaga-Mendez’s background.
Veizaga-Mendez, who was Robert’s surgeon, has come under fire after inspectors found that the deaths of several of his patients may have been a result of the questionable care he provided them. He resigned three days after Robert’s death.
Between October 2006 and March 2007, at least nine patients have died due to substandard care at the VA hospital where Robert underwent his surgery. These do not included the deaths attributed to Veizaga-Mendez.
Surgical Malpractice
Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people die in the United States every year because of surgical errors. Surgical malpractice can also lead to serious injuries and complications, including infections, organ damage, and brain injuries, for those who survive. Common kinds of surgical errors include:
• Operating on the wrong body part
• Anesthesia errors
• Leaving a medical instrument in a patient
• Taking out the wrong organ
• Not properly monitoring the patient’s vitals during surgery
• Negligent post-operative care
Surgical errors can be grounds for a Kentucky medical malpractice claim or wrongful death lawsuit.
Ky. widow settles lawsuit against VA for $975,000, AP, November 25, 2008
Troubled VA hospital settles death suit, UPI, November 25, 2008
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