Settlement Reached in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Gallbladder Disease Misdiagnosis
A settlement agreement in the amount of $100,000 was reached in a medical malpractice suit brought against the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has reached a settlement agreement with the family of a man who allegedly died due to a misdiagnosis of gallbladder disease, and other substandard medical care. According to the wrongful death lawsuit, 68-year-old Jimmy Lee Stapleton died from gallbladder cancer on June 2, after suffering for two years from what his family describes as negligent care and medical malpractice at three different VA hospitals in Georgia. Earlier this month, the VA agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of Jimmy Lee Stapleton, for more than $100,000. If you believe you have been adversely affected by the misdiagnosis of a medical condition like gallbladder disease, contact a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney today for legal help.
Doctors Failed to Identify Cancer
According to the wrongful death claim, Stapleton’s medical problems first surfaced in 1998, when doctors at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia diagnosed him as having gallstones, but refused to remove them. Stapleton’s condition went untreated for 13 years, until October 2011, when he was diagnosed with pancreatitis, and one month later, doctors decided to remove his gallbladder and parts of his liver. During these medical procedures, Stapleton’s doctors failed to identify any signs of cancer, despite advising that Stapleton undergo testing and potentially be treated with chemotherapy. The VA then proceeded to cancel Stapleton’s appointments at the last minute, and indicated that it was unable to pay for private medical care for the veteran.
Contact a Qualified Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The malpractice settlement reached by the VA and Stapleton’s family comes in the midst of continued controversy over excessive wait times at VA clinics across the country. In light of this problem, Congress recently approved a $17 million bill to help pay for veterans to receive private medical care without charge if they cannot be treated in a timely manner at a VA center in their area. If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious illness like gallbladder disease, which went undiagnosed by a medical professional, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed due to the negligence of a hospital or doctor, and can help put you in touch with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer today.