| Ashley Plummer et al v. Lee Hanson, M.D., et al | |
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Style of Case: |
Ashley Plummer et al v. Lee Hanson, M.D., et al |
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Client: |
ISMIE |
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Our File Number: |
07860.08935 |
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Date of Trial: |
January 31, 2005 - February 10, 2005 |
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Court: |
St. Louis City Circuit Court |
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Cause Number: |
032-01673 |
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Judge: |
The Honorable Mark Neill |
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RPS lawyer who tried this case: |
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Case Details |
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Plaintiffs' decedent (mother) was admitted to Forest Park Hospital for a high fever and was diagnosed with pneumonia. In the early morning hours of the day after her admission, she pushed the call button for the nurse for assist to the bedside commode. Tired of waiting, she got up, tripped over her IV wires and fell. She hit her head, suffering a laceration over her right eyebrow. A CT scan documented a subdural hematoma and subarachnoid bleeding. The neurosurgeon on call recommended a transfer to another hospital. The patient was transferred to SLU Hospital, underwent a craniotomy but subsequently died.
Dr. Hanson was the attending physician. He was criticized for not immediately reversing the effects of Coumadin. The patient was on this blood thinner because she had an aortic replacement valve. Allegedly, the failure to reverse the effects of Coumadin allowed the bleed to continue and become larger. Further, this alleged failure delayed the operation, which could not occur until the Coumadin effects had been reversed.
Dr. Bailey was the neurosurgeon on call and he had staff privileges at Forest Park Hospital. He had arranged for his partner, Dr. Wetherington, to take his calls that weekend. Dr. Weatherton did not have staff privileges at Forest Park Hospital. He could not come to that hospital and his only recourse was to recommend a transfer to another hospital. Any transfer has built in delay. |
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| Last Demand: | $ 1, 750,000 pre-trial; plaintiff's attorney requested $1 ,074,000 from the jury |
| Last Offer: | None |
| Verdict: |
Defense verdict for Dr. Hanson. The jury found Dr. Bailey 50% at fault and assessed 50% of fault to the intern, resident and nurse who had previously settled. The jury determined the damages to be $400,800. Settlement if not tried to conclusion: The hospital, on behalf of the intern, resident and attending nurse settled for a confidential amount before the trial. |