$ 3,000,000 warfarin judgement

[Marty]

My risk management newsletter just came out with a case of a 34 yr old man who had spontaneous pulmonary embolism. He pulled through and was Rx warfarin. He had a bad family history for thrombotic events but all his personal tests for a thrombotic problem were negative. He was on ACT for 18 months when his physician left the group. His new doctor stopped warfarin. Five months later he had a bad stroke. At trial, the jury went against the doctors and awarded $3,000,000 to the patient. It was a long tough trial with experts on both sides.However ,I think the jury came to the right decision

 

[catwoman]

Thanks, Marty.

BTW, has anyone heard from WarrenR on his battle over his dad's anticoagulation mismanagement?

 

[ALCapshaw2]

So why aren't medical students taught PROPER anticoagulation management techniques?

 

[KristyW]

So why aren't medical students taught PROPER anticoagulation management techniques?

Al - from what I read of Marty's post, the judgment is because the new Doctor discontinued warfarin based on the patient's tests being negative for the thrombotic problem. The previous Doctor had him on it because of family history. This doesn't seem to fall into anticoagulation management to me. More of a judgment call.

As for the answer to your question...who the heck knows. I sure wish they would. I believe there are many good managers out there. We don't hear about it because their patients are in range and they don't come looking to us for help. However, those ACT managers who don't know what they're doing have patients looking for help.

JMO

 

[Eva]

I sympathise with the 34 year young guy, but I also think he should have questioned the doctor's decision and mentioned about his family history to him even all results were negative.

I think the compensation was outrageous!!! The insurance companies will try to compensate for their loss from us, directly or indirectly!!

I apologize if I sound harsh to anyone!

 

[Marty]

Thanks, Marty.

BTW, has anyone heard from WarrenR on his battle over his dad's anticoagulation mismanagement?

Marsha, I have tried to contact Warren and he doesn't answer the number I have any more.. I hope he's OK. The last I spoke to him he was a little down as the case seemed to be foundering and to that point had not made it to a jury. I think his lawyers who were tops, wanted a settlement. The doctor in the case was a very personable GP who was also very popular in that part of Ohio.( I read his deposition) I don't think they wanted to get him in front of a jury.I'm going to try to contact Warren again this weekend.

 

[Marty]

I sympathise with the 34 year young guy, but I also think he should have questioned the doctor's decision and mentioned about his family history to him even all results were negative.

I think the compensation was outrageous!!! The insurance companies will try to compensate for their loss from us, directly or indirectly!!

I apologize if I sound harsh to anyone!

Eva, If you are totally disabled at a young age like that, money goes fast. Also, his lawyers will get almost half the award. $ 3,000,000 isn't that much any more. Most CEO's and hedge fund managers wouldn't even work for that.!

 

[Eva]

In my heart, Marty, I think not the whole world money will be enough compensation at this young age...yes it will pay for expenses, but won't buy happiness for him nor for the doctor whom I think is in pain too for his mistake.

I agree and it bugs me that greedy lawyers compete who will get more in such cases so that they get more money.

I do sympathise and such a story breaks my heart...I had a brother whom I loved dearly as he was father figure, a friend, a brother, my protector, and he died due to a doctor's mistake...we prayed for the doctor who was in pain as much as we were. What happened has happened, but I strongly believe *WE the PATIENTS* should be bold in questioning our doctors and when in doubt get a second and a third opinion!

 

[Mary]

Depending upon how much medical care he will need, it will take some of the burden off his family and caretakers. I'm not talking compensation, I'm talking everyday medical expenses that will have to be met for many, many years.

 

[Eva]

I agree...at such an age, he may need lots of medical care and bills to pay!

 

[Tbone]

So why aren't medical students taught PROPER anticoagulation management techniques?

I think all Doctors, and Drug Reps should have to be properly trained to expand the truth as is compared to as perceived.