50-year-old man dies of pulmonary embolism — $1.1 million settlement

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The plaintiff was a disabled 50-year-old husband and father of four adult children. He was unemployed at the time of his death.

In the fall of 2015, six weeks following knee surgery, the plaintiff began experiencing dyspnea on exertion. He sought care and treatment from the defendant practice group. A chest X-ray was negative, and a physician concluded that the plaintiff’s symptoms were likely due to deconditioning and mild anemia. The plaintiff was instructed to follow up in one month.

Two weeks later, the plaintiff returned with continued dyspnea on exertion, but with an added complaint of a “racing heart.” The physician examined him again and recommended the plaintiff see a cardiologist.

The plaintiff made an appointment with a cardiologist but collapsed and died before the appointment. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, or a blockage of an artery in the lungs.

The parties resolved the litigation at mediation for $1,100,000.

[020-T-097]

Type of action: Medical Malpractice
Injuries alleged: Death
Name of case: John Doe v. Confidential Health Care Practice
Tried before: Mediation
Date resolved: 02/27/2020
Verdict or settlement: Settlement
Amount: $1,100,000
Attorney(s) for plaintiff: Donna Miller Rostant and Ann LaCroix Jones, Fairfax