Can Parents File Lawsuits For Surgery Deaths?

Palm Beach Hospital Under Fire For Child Surgery Deaths

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Shapiro Law Group

St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach has fired back at a CNN report alleging that its hospital has a mortality rate for pediatric open-heart surgery at three times the national average. According to the yearlong investigation from CNN, there have been eight infant deaths since the pediatric open-heart surgery program opened in 2011.

While CNN’s numbers are alarming, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has found the mortality rate to be lower than what was reported by the national news network.

St. Mary’s Medical Center has claimed the rate for pediatric open-heart surgery deaths is within the national average, but the hospital has allegedly refused to provide local and national press with figures on how many operations have been performed during the last two years.

Local doctors have speculated St. Mary’s Medical Center has a lower than average volume of patients for specific procedures, and might lack the experience to perform open-heart surgery. In addition to lacking practice, the program is only a few years old. After several deaths, multiple lawsuits have been filed against the hospital.

A local father recently spoke out after losing his child at the West Palm Beach hospital. According to a parent who lost his daughter during a botched open-heart surgery at the hospital, surgeons told the father his daughter would be fine.

What Options Are Available For Parents Who Have Lost Children to Surgery Deaths?

Parents who have lost children to negligent medical care might have options for pursuing damages. Contacting a medical malpractice attorney can be the first step in pursuing justice against negligent health care practitioners.

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