Bill Ranard and Ryan Armour of AGHL Law’s medical malpractice litigation group obtained a well-earned defense verdict for an emergency room physician

Bill Ranard and Ryan Armour of AGHL Law’s medical malpractice litigation group obtained a well-earned defense verdict for an emergency room physician on September 23, 2022, after an eight-day jury trial.  The Plaintiff alleged wrongful death as a result of failing to diagnose and treat pulmonary embolism in a 62-year-old female.  Decedent had a syncopal event at home but no chest pain and no shortness of breath.  Decedent had a blood glucose level of 600 when she entered the ER.  She was admitted to the ICU for further evaluation and insulin and fluid administration.  She passed away 24 hours after admission.  Defense theory was that this was DKA, Plaintiff failed to prove the cause of death as no autopsy was performed, and pulmonary embolism was effectively ruled out due to the lack of signs or symptoms and the fact that the decedent was at low risk for PE.  The Plaintiff’s attorney asked for $4.56 million from the jury.  Bill Ranard and Ryan Armour successfully demonstrated to the jury that the ER physician did not breach the standard of care, and the Plaintiff failed to prove the cause of death.  The jury agreed and returned a defense verdict in favor of our client.