Failure to Properly Close A Spinal Fluid Leak Leads to Meningitis, Multiple Procedures, and Disability.

This is a spinal meningitis medical malpractice case we handled.

The facts, spinal meningitis medical malpractice.

Lumbar surgery and a complications.

The plaintiff had lumbar laminectomy (back surgery) performed by her doctor at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut.  Following the surgery she developed a spinal fluid leak in her lower back.

Closing without eliminating an infection.

The doctor attempted to close the leak by suturing the dura.  Unfortunately, when the doctor closed the would he did not take appropriate steps to prevent infection.  Since ehe open wound was exposed to the air, it was prone to infection.  When the wound was closed our client had an infection in the spinal fluid.  Because of the delay in properly diagnosing the plaintiff’s condition she developed meningitis.  As a result, our client was admitted to Hartford Hospital for a severe infection, and hydrocephalus.  She then underwent surgery to remove an abscess in her back where her first surgery had been done.

Next, she was discharged to Gaylord Hospital for rehabilitation.  As a result of the meningitis, she was diagnosed with arachnoid adhesions, and syrinxs in her spinal cord.  She was in severe pain.  She treated with physical therapy, and aqua therapy.  Unfortunately,  her condition worsened, and she underwent a shunting procedure in her back to bypass the compression.  She endured even more surgeries.  In the end, she is left using a walker, and has regular headaches, and thoracic pain.

The settlement.

This case was known as Morin v. Chozick and St. Francis Hospital.

$1,500,000.00 settlement.

Where to find help?

If believe you are a victim of medical malpractice, and you need help to determine whether you have a valid claim contact The Bartinik Law Firm LLC at 860-445-8521.