Sinus infection treated with steroids instead of antibiotics—$3MM malpractice award

Lynn Flaherty went to her family doctor’s office, and complained of headaches and a nasal discharge—typical sinus infection symptoms. Apparently, the doctor didn’t even examine her, trusting instead in the “diagnosis” of her assistant. One thing led to another, and eventually Mrs. Flaherty had to have brain surgery. She sued for malpractice—and was awarded $3 million.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

[T]he physician’s assistant who saw her failed to make [the] diagnosis [of sinus infection] or to prescribe antibiotics. Instead, according to Mrs. Flaherty’s attorney, his client received a prescription for steroids, was told to undergo additional testing and return in a week.

But just five days later, she developed stroke-like symptoms, including facial drooping and disorientation, said one of her attorneys, Stephen Del Sole.

Mrs. Flaherty, of Bethel Park, went to the emergency room at St. Clair Hospital, where a CT scan revealed a brain abscess. She was immediately flown to Allegheny General Hospital where she underwent emergency brain surgery.

On Tuesday, after an eight-day trial before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, a jury awarded Mrs. Flaherty and her husband, James, a $3 million medical malpractice verdict.

It deliberated for five hours.

Have you ever seen or heard of a “too busy” physician who didn’t bother to properly diagnose or treat a patient? Without the possibility of lawsuits like this one, there would be no way to hold such individuals accountable.