$20 Million Awarded in Anesthesia Malpractice Case

The family of an Alabama woman who died after bile entered her lungs during surgery has been awarded $20 million in an anesthesia malpractice lawsuit.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Coastal Anesthesia, Dr. Randal Boudreaux, and nurse Don Ortego by the family of Paulett Pettaway Hall.

Hall was receiving exploratory surgery to determine a possible cause for the severe stomach pains she was experiencing.  As soon as the anesthesia was administered, she began breathing bile into her lungs. She died later.

Hall's family is claiming that Boudreaux and Ortego, the anesthetist, failed to identify that Hall was at risk for breathing fluid into her lungs, even though that information was included in her medical records. Furthermore, a report originally published in the Mobile Press-Register said the family claims that Bourdreaux never examined Hall's medical records and, if he were to have done that, her death might have been prevented.

Following a trial, the jury sided with Hall's family and awarded them $20 million in damages.

When to Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Anesthesia errors are a common form of medical malpractice that contribute to hundreds of deaths a year. If you are suffering from an illness or a debilitating medical condition as a result of anesthesia malpractice, or if your loved one was killed due to an anesthesia error, you should speak with an attorney about your legal rights and options. Click here to find a medical malpractice attorney near you today!