Lawsuits in the News: Medical Malpractice, Police Misconduct, Wrongful Death
A tragedy doesn’t have to become front-page news to be worthy of attention, or a lawsuit. Realizing that others have suffered preventable injuries and lost their lives to the negligence of others, however, often encourages people to seek justice for their own misfortune. This is a positive thing. Far too many individuals avoid seeking retribution for the ways in which they or their loved ones have been wronged, particularly by medical professionals or law enforcement officers. Recent personal injury lawsuits to hit the news involve medical malpractice, police brutality, and wrongful death.
Medical Negligence Leads to Lost Limbs, Lost Love, Lost Independence
Magdalena Malec went into septic shock after an ectopic pregnancy. Her symptoms of a high fever and leg rash were attributed to an allergic reaction to antibiotics she was given for pain. Her condition worsened even after her meds were changed, and Malec suffered kidney damage and developed blood clots throughout her body.
After emergency surgery, Malec began to experience organ failure and developed gangrene in her limbs. She endured dialysis and, eventually, a kidney transplant. Her limbs began to decay. Ultimately, Malec lost both legs below the knee, her right arm below the elbow, and the fingers on her left hand. Her medical malpractice lawsuit accuses the medical staff of her hospital near London of failing to identify the warning signs of sepsis.
When the condition goes unrecognized and worsens, the blood flow becomes impaired and can cause blood clots to form. This can lead to organ failure and tissue death. Along with the loss of her limbs, her independence, and her ability to function normally, Malec’s relationship fell apart.
The hospital acknowledges that Malec’s care was substandard. But her attorney argues that the near-death experience Malec endured and subsequent disfiguring injuries were avoidable had the hospital followed its sepsis protocol.
Sepsis is easily treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Failure to diagnose or late-stage diagnosis of sepsis can lead to death.
Alleged Police Misconduct Leads to Wrongful Death
A 16-year-old pregnant girl was shot and killed in Fremont, California, last year by undercover police officers. Her family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the police department. The detectives involved in this tragedy shot at the moving car in which Elena Mondragon was a passenger.
The lawsuit cites the officers’ “reckless disregard for department policy, safe tactics, and human life by opening fire on a moving car full of teenagers.” The undercover officers had been following Rico Tiger, Mondragon’s boyfriend, an armed robbery suspect. The detectives attempted to block Tiger’s vehicle when he, Mondragon, and some friends were leaving a swimming area in an alleged stolen car.
Tiger rammed the unmarked police vehicles and both detectives fired their weapons. Mondragon was hit four times and died later in the hospital. Tiger fled the scene, was arrested the next day, and has been charged with unrelated armed robbery, as well as with Mondragon’s murder and the attempted murder of two police officers.
It was concluded by the district attorney that the officers were justified in using lethal force and acted in lawful self-defense by opening fire. However, Mondragon’s wrongful death remains a fact. Her family’s lawsuit contends that the plain-clothes officers did not identify themselves as police and had multiple opportunities to arrest Tiger before the group of teens got into the vehicle.
When It’s Right for You to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Issuing an accusation of misconduct to a professional who is supposed to be trustworthy and has your best interests in mind is not an easy thing to do. Doctors and police officers can be intimidating, but they are not infallible. When their mistakes leads to tragedy and death, justice should be done.
If you have been a victim of medical malpractice or police brutality, or someone you love has died a wrongful death, contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation. You have the best chance of receiving full monetary compensation for your suffering with the help of our experienced attorneys. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today to schedule your consultation.
