Justice for a Family: Nace Law Group Secures More than $8M Verdict in Fatal Medical Malpractice Case

Nace Law Group secured an $8 million jury verdict for the family of a 43-year-old man who died during a routine medical procedure. The victim – a public school teacher and father of three minor children – lost his life unnecessarily because of medical negligence. Our team is proud to have achieved accountability and justice for the family, who was so severely impacted by this tragic loss.

A routine procedure with tragic results

The patient was undergoing twilight sedation for an upper endoscopy for bariatric surgery clearance. This procedure is relatively minor and does not require general anesthesia. Shortly after the procedure started, the patient’s oxygen saturation, respirations, and heart rate dropped. The defendant anesthesiologist did not respond appropriately for somewhere between eight and 12 minutes and never attempted intubation. A second anesthesiologist entered the room and immediately intubated the patient, but it was too late. The patient died days later as a result of the airway mismanagement.

Building the case

Christopher T. Nace and Samantha L. Peters took the case on behalf of the victim’s wife and minor children and brought it to trial against the anesthesiologist and his practice group. The trial team demonstrated clear negligence on the part of the defendant medical providers.

The attorneys worked to show the jury that the delay in intervention led to the patient’s death. Additionally, they showed the impact of the heartbreaking loss on the family – who lost a devoted father and husband.

An expert anesthesiologist provided testimony to support the Plaintiffs’ case and illustrate that Defendants fell far short of the standard of care for anesthesiologists. The team also enlisted the assistance of an economist, who showed the family’s financial losses amounted to between $1.5–$1.6 million.

Trial highlights

The ultimate jury selected was young and well-educated. The defense team presented an aggressive case by pushing back against negligence claims and trying to downplay causation.

Nace Law Group relied on critical evidence, including medical documentation, expert analysis, and powerful testimony from the victim’s widow about the impact of the tragedy on her and her family.

The verdict

The jury ultimately found in favor of Plaintiffs, and awarded the family more than $8 million. It can be challenging to prove medical malpractice claims, but the success of this claim shows that jurors are not willing to accept negligence and carelessness on the part of medical providers. These jurors demanded accountability and justice for the family, signaling to professionals in the medical field that they must remain vigilant, regardless of how routine the procedure may be.

Takeaways for our trial team

The outcome in this case was the result of hard work and diligent preparation. Our team took the case on and from the start, we were prepared to go all the way to trial. Courtroom readiness, an unwillingness to back down, and careful, well-planned strategy allowed us to fight for our clients. The outcome is a win for patient safety and reminds anesthesiologists that they must respond to patient vital signs in a timely and appropriate fashion. Tragically, in this case, the anesthesiologist’s failure to act during a critical window cost a man his life.

Medical malpractice claims in Maryland

Medical malpractice cases are often complicated and challenging to win because of complex laws and the need for scientific evidence and testimony. Jurors, and even judges, may not have the background knowledge to understand the standard of care. In fact, before plaintiffs can even bring their cases to court, they need to have a certificate from a qualified expert who is willing to attest that the defendant’s conduct violated the proper standard of care and caused the injury. In other words, a reputable person with relevant medical experience needs to agree that the health care providers did something wrong. Without this certificate, the claim cannot proceed.

After this step, experts with medical backgrounds will continue to play a critical part in proving negligence. The expert can help teach and inform the courts and jurors about what does and doesn’t constitute proper medical care in a given field.

Maryland places strict time limits on how long a person has to file their medical malpractice claim. It’s best to speak to a lawyer right away who can help gather and preserve critical evidence and make a record of memories before they fade.

Contact Nace Law Group

If you or your loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, you need the support and guidance of a trial team that is ready to take your case in front of a jury. You need attorneys who refuse to back down and never take the easy way out. Contact Nace Law Group today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you and your family seek justice after injuries or wrongful deaths caused by medical negligence.