When people are faced with the news that their loved one is suffering from a debilitating and potentially life-threatening health condition, often their first instinct is to help relieve their pain and suffering in any way possible. For many families in Georgia, the way this type of support is offered may vary from providing financial assistance to donating blood or other types of medical assistance.
For one family, a man’s decision to donate his liver to his dying brother-in-law resulted in a fatal surgical attempt that left the family mourning the death of two of their loved ones. The story begins when the family was informed that one of their members had been diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer. When told that he could possibly prolong his life with a liver transplant, the decision was made by another family member to donate a portion of his organ. However, a surgery attempting to remove the healthy man’s liver ended up killing him and leaving the family with a tirade of unanswered questions.
Shortly after the failed transplant, the man who the transplant would have been for also passed away from complications related to his cancer diagnosis. Now, the family is seeking compensation in a lawsuit filed against the three surgeons who were primarily responsible for the failed surgical attempt. The case is currently in trial and the outcome is yet to be determined.
If people are experiencing the trauma of suffering an injury because of medical malpractice, they may be interested in working with an attorney. Legal experts have the resources and experience to be able to provide direction in helping victims work toward receiving compensation for the injuries and pain they have endured.
Source: Boston Globe, “Malpractice case involving liver donor goes to trial,” Liz Kowalczyk, Feb. 13, 2019
