Albuquerque Medical Malpractice
Every patient should receive high-quality medical care when they require treatment. Medical malpractice cases can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. These Albuquerque cases shed light on instances where healthcare providers have failed to meet the standard of care, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins estimated that preventable medical errors cause over 250,000 deaths annually in the United States. This makes it the third most common killer behind heart disease and cancer. A 2020 study by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine disputed this claim, arguing that only about 7,150 previously healthy people die each year due to hospital errors. [1],[2]
We will explore ten terrible medical malpractice cases in Albuquerque to underscore the importance of patient safety and accountability in healthcare.
1. A lawsuit was filed against UNMH by a local woman, claiming medical negligence.
2. In a legal case against Presbyterian Healthcare, a man from Rio Rancho was awarded over $22.7 million due to a surgical error.
3. The family of a 12-year-old amputee has filed a lawsuit against a hospital.
4. An Albuquerque hospital was found negligent by New Mexico jury, awarded $7.75 million to the family.
5. A New Mexico jury has awarded $54 million in a case involving the death of a patient due to neglected internal bleeding.
6. A whistleblower from UNMH triggers a lawsuit regarding wrongful death.
7. A family filed a lawsuit against a clinic and UNM due to an unsuccessful abortion procedure.
8. A lawsuit has been filed claiming that the hospital is responsible for Jim Belshaw’s death.
9. A wife has initiated a lawsuit against UNMH, citing medical negligence.
10. Tressia Castillo, acting on behalf of Pearl Woody, filed a lawsuit against UNMH, alleging medical negligence.
A local woman filed a lawsuit against UNMH, alleging medical negligence.
A woman from Albuquerque underwent a hysterectomy at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) in 2021. Post-discharge, she experienced heightened pain and sought clarification from her doctors, who reassured her that discomfort was normal.
Days later, she noticed a foreign object protruding from her genital area, prompting her to contact her doctors. Despite feeling violated and embarrassed, she followed their instructions to send a photo via email. Doctors advised her to go to the emergency room, where a suction bulb left inside her during surgery was discovered and abruptly removed.
The woman’s legal team alleges reckless behavior and negligence on the part of the hospital, emphasizing the violation of patient safety. [3]
A Rio Rancho man was awarded over $22.7 million in a case against Presbyterian Healthcare for a botched surgery.
Armando Graham, a Rio Rancho man, underwent surgery at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in 2019 to address prostate cancer. After hospital discharge, he expressed discomfort, indicating potential complications from the surgery.
Graham’s attorneys allege that the hospital failed to provide adequate care, ignoring his concerns and failing to meet the expected standard of care. Despite his distress, the doctors reportedly did not offer alternative options or involve appropriate professionals in his care. An internal tear had occurred during the surgery which was not caught and it became infected following the surgery.
The hospital was ordered to pay $22.7 million after a jury found it responsible for the failed surgery, highlighting the severity of the situation and the need for accountability in medical care. [4]
Presbyterian Hospital is facing a lawsuit filed by the family of a 12-year-old amputee.
Meiah Tafoya, a 12-year-old girl, suffered a leg injury at school, leading to treatment at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. However, her family claims that delayed treatment exacerbated her condition, ultimately resulting in the amputation of her left leg. She waited 10 hours for surgery on her leg and her mother had complained to staff that her leg was becoming cold to the touch.
Allegations of negligence against the hospital emphasize the critical delay in providing timely treatment, which led to severe complications for the young patient. The family is filing a lawsuit, seeking accountability for the traumatic ordeal. [5]
A jury in New Mexico found that an Albuquerque hospital was negligent and awarded the family $7.75 million.
Michael Webb underwent surgery at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, followed by complications that required intensive care. Due to alleged negligence in repositioning him, Webb developed a painful pressure ulcer on his lower back.
The lawsuit claims that the hospital’s failure to adhere to proper procedures resulted in significant harm to Webb, including the development of a stage 4 pressure ulcer.
A jury found the hospital negligent, awarding Webb and his wife $7.75 million in damages. $4 million was assigned to Webb for compensatory damages, $2.25 million to Webb and Bruyere in punitive damages, and an additional $1.5 million to Bruyere, who has been forced to take care of her husband full-time since the alleged negligence. [6]
A New Mexico jury has awarded $54 million in a case involving the death of a patient due to neglected internal bleeding.
Jurors in New Mexico have awarded $54 million to the family of a woman who died of unattended internal bleeding at a nursing home owned by ManorCare.
The verdict reached in Albuquerque includes $4 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages over the 2004 death of 78-year-old Barbara Barber.
Lawyers say the verdict against ManorCare, an Ohio-based care provider, is the largest award of its kind in state history, reported KOB-TV in New Mexico.
The doctor who did the autopsy of the woman confirmed that Barber died of internal bleeding, and the family’s attorneys claimed that not only did Barber bleed to death because ManorCare didn’t follow procedure, but after Barber’s death, the caretakers tried to cover the incident up.
“There was blood on the pillow, blood on the sheets, and in her adult Depends, it was red through the outside,” said attorney Carl Bettinger. “And ManorCare cleaned it up, threw away all that evidence, and didn’t report it to the Department of Health.”
“She was a wonderful mother, a wonderful person, and she did not deserve to die like that,” Barber’s daughter, Laurie Keith, told the television station. [7]
A whistleblower from UNMH triggers a lawsuit regarding wrongful death.
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the University of New Mexico Hospital on Oct. 17, 2021, after a woman died from alleged neglect. The lawsuit alleges failure to diagnose and treat her condition promptly, leading to her untimely death.
The woman who died was admitted to the hospital with a rash. Blood tests were completed that showed elevated chemicals revealing damage to the heart, but further investigation regarding that was not completed and the woman died of a heart attack.
The family seeks answers and accountability for the hospital’s actions, highlighting concerns about patient safety and quality of care. The lawsuit reflects the family’s pursuit of justice for their loved one’s tragic death. [8]
A lawsuit has been filed by a family against a clinic and UNM for an unsuccessful abortion procedure.
The family of Keisha Atkins filed a lawsuit against a local clinic and UNM Hospital following her death after a late-term abortion. Allegations include negligence in post-operative care and failure to address complications promptly.
Atkins’ family emphasizes concerns about patient safety and proper medical practices, calling attention to the need for transparency and accountability in reproductive healthcare. The lawsuit seeks justice for Atkins and raises important questions about abortion procedures. [9]
Hospital faces a lawsuit alleging responsibility for Belshaw's death.
Jim Belshaw, a former Albuquerque Journal columnist, died due to complications from a diagnostic test performed at the University of New Mexico Hospital in 2020. Allegations include a lost catheter that was placed in an artery during the procedure, resulting in brain hemorrhaging and ultimately his death.
Mr. Belshaw was not given answers about his severe complications which involved vision and hearing loss. Weeks later he was informed that a catheter had been lost and that his symptoms would be permanent.
The lawsuit filed by his widow highlights concerns about patient safety and medical negligence, calling for accountability from the hospital and healthcare providers involved. Belshaw’s death underscores the importance of proper medical procedures and oversight. [10]
Wife files lawsuit Against UNMH, alleging medical negligence.
Dennis Crowley underwent brain surgery to replace two battery packs for his deep brain stimulator in April 2018. The neurosurgeon allegedly replaced only one of the battery packs, resulting in a lawsuit for medical malpractice. UNMH settled the lawsuit for $275,000. [11]
Tressia Castillo, acting as the personal representative of Pearl Woody, filed a lawsuit against UNMH, alleging medical negligence.
Pearl Woody was admitted to UNMH in November 2014 after a work-related fall, with elevated intracranial pressure due to a preexisting condition mentioned in the lawsuit. A drainage tube was inserted into her skull, but it became blocked and remained closed for approximately 10 hours. She experienced a stroke during that period and passed away. Tressia Castillo, the personal representative of Woody, filed a lawsuit that was settled for $315,000. [11]
Reach out to Goldberg & Loren today for a complimentary consultation regarding medical malpractice in Albuquerque.
Sources:
[1] Johns Hopkins study suggests medical errors are third-leading cause of death in U.S. (2016, May 3). The Hub. https://hub.jhu.edu/2016/05/03/medical-errors-third-leading-cause-of-death
[2] Estimates of preventable hospital deaths are too high, new study shows. (2021, November 18). YaleNews. https://news.yale.edu/2020/01/28/estimates-preventable-hospital-deaths-are-too-high-new-study-shows
[3] Local woman sues UNMH for medical negligence. (n.d.). https://www.koat.com/. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.koat.com/article/woman-sues-unmh/44498076
[4] Rio Rancho man awarded over $22 million in botched surgery case against Presbyterian. (n.d.). https://www.krqe.com/. Retrieved July 29, 2023, from https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/rio-rancho-man-awarded-over-22-million-in-botched-surgery-case-against-presbyterian
[5] Family of 12-yr-old amputee files lawsuit against hospital. (n.d.). https://www.krqe.com/. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/family-of-12-yr-old-amputee-files-lawsuit-against-hospital
[6] Gravato, J. (2019, December 11). New Mexico Jury Finds Albuquerque Hospital Negligent; Awards Family $7.75 Million. Medical Malpractice Help. https://medicalmalpracticehelp.com/news/new-mexico-jury-finds-albuquerque-hospital-negligent-awards-family-7-75-million/#
[7] New Mexico Jury Awards $54M For Neglected Patient’s Internal Bleeding Death. (2015, January 13). Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/story/new-mexico-jury-awards-54m-for-neglected-patients-internal-bleeding-death
[8] UNMH whistleblower sparks wrongful death lawsuit. (n.d.). https://www.koat.com/. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.koat.com/article/unmh-whistleblower-sparks-wrongful-death-suit/45589999
[9] Family sues clinic, UNM for botched abortion. (n.d.). https://www.krqe.com/. Retrieved September 12, 2018, from https://www.krqe.com/news/family-sues-clinic-unm-for-botched-abortion/
[10] Staff, C. C. (2022, December 27). Lawsuit alleges hospital to blame for Belshaw’s death. The Corrales Comment. https://corralescomment.com/2022/12/27/lawsuit-alleges-hospital-to-blame-for-belshaws-death
[11] Writer, R. B. J. S. (2020, August 15). Medical malpractice settlements revealed. Albuquerque Journal. https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/medical-malpractice-settlements-revealed/article_39ca8186-3239-5dd4-92a1-698f814d2a9f.html
