$4 Million Settlement Obtained by Sullivan Papain in Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case

Sullivan Papain is proud to announce that attorney Nicole M. LaGrega secured a $4,000,000 settlement on behalf of the family of a 55-year-old husband and father who tragically passed away following delayed life-saving treatment during cardiac surgery.

The case was resolved just two days prior to jury selection after four and a half years of hard-fought litigation.

Our firm was retained by the decedent’s spouse after her husband died as a result of complications arising during an aortic valve replacement procedure. During the surgery, an obstruction of the coronary arteries occurred, blocking critical blood flow to the heart. When blood supply to the heart muscle is interrupted, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the tissue, leading to rapid and irreversible damage.

According to the evidence in the case and the opinions of qualified medical experts, the decedent required immediate emergency intervention, either an emergent cardiac catheterization or coronary artery bypass surgery, to restore blood flow. Instead, there was a delay of more than three hours before corrective action was taken.

Those hours proved devastating. With each passing minute, the heart muscle sustained further damage. Although blood flow was eventually restored, the injury to the heart had already become catastrophic and irreversible. Medical experts concluded that had blood flow been restored promptly, the decedent would have survived and experienced significantly less cardiac damage.

As a result of the prolonged loss of blood flow, the decedent suffered severe complications, including heart failure, respiratory failure, sepsis, the need for prolonged extracorporeal oxygenation, and dialysis. He remained intubated from the time of his initial surgery until his passing 31 days later.

After years of contested litigation and with trial imminent, the defendant agreed to pay $4,000,000 to resolve the matter.

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.