MDLinxOhio Jury Awards Over $2 Million to Family of Woman Who Died Following Common Surgery

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A recent Ohio medical malpractice case resulted in a $2.06 million verdict against a surgeon and surgical institute following the death of a 73-year-old patient after hiatal hernia repair surgery. The case centered on alleged failures in post-surgical monitoring and delayed response to complications, highlighting critical aspects of post-operative care in common surgical procedures.

Key Points:

• The jury awarded damages across multiple categories: $500,000 for pain and suffering, $500,000 for loss of consortium, $700,000 for wrongful death, and $363,000 for medical bills
• The patient experienced complications on September 21, 2019, but according to the complaint, the surgeon failed to order a recommended CT scan, leading to delayed treatment and death 68 days later
• Hiatal hernia repair surgeries carry specific mortality rates: 1.3% for elective procedures and 8% for emergency cases
• Post-surgical complications can include esophageal perforation, dysphagia, CO2 retention, internal bleeding, and cardiovascular injuries
• Reherniation occurs in 8% to 26% of cases, requiring careful monitoring for early symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and swallowing difficulties

“These are not easy or light surgeries…Sometimes the repair or closure is closed too tight or the mesh causes a narrowing in the esophagus, which can cause difficulty [with] swallowing reflux and regurgitation.”
– Dr. Steven Shamah, Director of Endoscopy at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York

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