Seven years ago, Ana Pereira was brought to the emergency room at the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey. Pereira complained of severe pain in her abdomen. The attending physicians diagnosed her with kidney stones and renal colic, which is when urinary stones block part of the urinary tract. According to a medical malpractice lawsuit, filed on behalf of Pereira, if not for the alleged negligence of doctors and the medical center she would not have lost both of her legs below the knee and her left hand at the wrist.
Lawyers representing Pereira argued that because of a delay in treatment her condition worsened. The day after her arrival, blood cultures allegedly showed a dangerous bacteria growth in her kidney. Doctors quickly operated to drain the fluid, but the first attempt was unsuccessful and the procedure had to be repeated. Pereira, who was 29 at the time, then developed sepsis that allegedly caused her to fall into a coma. According to medical records, she was in a coma for five days and during that time lost circulation to her extremities, leading to the amputations.
At the end of 2016, the Monmouth Medical Center settled with Pereira for $16.5 million. She also received a $2 million settlement from the neurologist and his practice. But the urologist, Dr. Michael Esposito, refused to settle and after years of litigation the lawsuit went to trial. After hearing each sides’ evidence over the course of a month, the New Jersey jury came back with a verdict in favor of Pereira, who is now 36. The jury found Esposito negligent and awarded the plaintiff $24 million in damages in addition to the $18.5 million that she had already received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cerebral palsy is not a single disorder but rather an umbrella term used to describe a broad range of neurological abnormalities, affecting movement and posture that first occur in the fetal or infant brain. Importantly, these movement disorders may be accompanied by disturbances in sensation, cognition, communication and behavior. While the phrase “cerebral palsy” is
Read More
If your doctor overprescribed opioids and you get addicted, you may have a medical malpractice case. A doctor who negligently prescribes too much medication can be liable for any injuries or harm that results from their patient’s subsequent addiction to that medication. A successful case hinges on proving that negligence was a factor. The medical
Read More