1.2 million Awarded to widow in Malpractice trial
When we are sick or in need of medical care, and treatment, we except doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to help deliver the best care possible. Unfortunately, in many cases, malpractice occurs and serious injury and even death can be the result. Malpractice cases can occur anywhere, even to the residents of Tennessee.
In this case, Michael Scarpa, a 55 year old retired Long Island Rail Road Worker of Tunkhannock, died on April 16, 1999, two days after coming into the Tyler Memorial Hospital’s emergency room with complaints of chest pains and vomiting for three days. The doctors told him to take cough medicine, rest, and see his family doctor in two days.
After his death, the autotrophy showed that he had suffered from an ulcerated esophagus and the cause of death was sepsis, or blood poisoning, caused by a perforated esophagus that allowed food to enter his pleural cavity. His widow then decided to file a malpractice lawsuit against the hospital and the two doctors that he saw. The attorney for the case said that his “agonizing” death was caused by negligence and carelessness on the part of the hospital and the doctors.”
The jury found the hospital to be forty percent responsible and Dr. Lubin one of the doctor’s 30 percent responsible, Dr. Coster twenty percent responsible and Mr. Scarpa himself to be ten percent responsible. They found the victim to be ten percent responsible due to the fact that he failed to tell Tyler Memorial Hospital about his esophageal surgery two years before.
The jury awarded Mr. Scarpa’s widow 1.2 million, but the attorney is intending to file for “delay damages” which could bring the total awarded amount to 1.9 million. Before retiring, Mr. Scarpa bought a home in Lackawanna County.
Cases like these unfortunately happen each and every day here in Tennessee and across the country. If you or a loved one has suffered due to malpractice, you should contact a Tennessee malpractice attorney immediately. Feel free to contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
