Our firm successfully resolved a catastrophic medical malpractice case involving negligent coronary bypass surgery that resulted in permanent heart failure and the need for a heart transplant. During what should have been a routine multi-vessel bypass procedure, all of the bypass grafts failed within 24 hours of surgery, causing devastating and irreversible damage to our client's heart.
The evidence showed the surgeon used a high-risk “off-pump” bypass technique on a beating heart despite severe and diffuse coronary artery disease, resulting in poor grafting and clotting of the vessels. The evidence further showed there was a nearly 24-hour delay in returning the patient to the cardiac catheterization lab despite obvious signs of graft failure and cardiogenic shock.
As a result, our client went from expecting a routine bypass surgery to requiring a lifesaving heart transplant, lifelong immunosuppressive medications, ongoing medical surveillance, and permanent physical limitations.
Through litigation, we secured compensation to help provide for future medical care, treatment, lost earning capacity, and long-term financial support.