$4.3 Million Settlement Secured by Sullivan Papain in Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case

Sullivan Papain is proud to announce that associate attorney Nicole M. LaGrega secured a $4,300,000 settlement on behalf of the family of a 48-year-old husband and father who tragically passed away following preventable cardiac complications.

The case was resolved post-mediation while on the trial calendar after three years of hard-fought litigation. The settlement was reached with a major medical group and the treating physician.

The decedent, a devoted husband and father of four minor children, died in July 2022 after suffering a heart attack and cardiac arrest while on a family vacation. Just ten days before his untimely death, he had seen his cardiac electrophysiologist and reported new, serious complaints of chest pressure and shortness of breath. He specifically sought medical clearance to ensure it was safe for him to travel.

Despite these alarming symptoms and his significant cardiac history, no diagnostic testing was performed and no emergency referral was made. According to the evidence in the case and the opinions of qualified medical experts, these new complaints were consistent with unstable angina, a life-threatening cardiac condition requiring immediate evaluation and intervention.

Given the decedent’s complex medical background, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and a prior heart attack, the standard of care required urgent investigation. Proper evaluation would have included immediate referral to an emergency department for cardiac consultation, with likely cardiac catheterization and/or surgical intervention. Medical experts retained by the firm concluded that timely diagnosis and treatment would have prevented the fatal heart attack.

Instead, the failure to act on the decedent’s new and worsening symptoms allowed his condition to progress unchecked, ultimately resulting in cardiac arrest and death. As a result of this tragic loss, his wife became a widow at the age of 43, left to raise their four children without their father.

While no financial recovery can replace a loving husband and father, this $4.3 million settlement provides meaningful financial security for his family’s future and holds the responsible parties accountable.

Learn more about Nicole M. LaGrega

With over six years of dedicated experience in medical malpractice litigation, Nicole is a passionate advocate for individuals and families who have suffered due to medical negligence. She has built a reputation as a diligent, compassionate, and tireless representative for her clients, always striving to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Read more about Ms. LaGrega here.