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(516) 394-4200
When the woman arrived at the hospital, she presented with symptoms and risk factors that should have raised immediate concern for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) — two serious, potentially fatal conditions that demand swift action. Instead, she was sent home.
She died the following morning. The cause: a pulmonary embolism stemming from a deep vein thrombosis that went undiagnosed and untreated.
She is survived by her husband and two children, both of whom have severe autism and will require lifelong care.
The resulting lawsuit alleged that the medical providers who treated her failed to recognize the warning signs of a life-threatening blood clot and did not take the necessary steps to diagnose or treat it before discharging her. The case has since been resolved through a $3.75 million settlement.
“Cases like this remind us that medical malpractice is never simply about a missed diagnosis or a chart entry,” said Michael E. Duffy, Managing Partner and General Counsel of Duffy & Duffy. “It is about the people whose lives are permanently changed when critical warning signs are overlooked. In this case, a husband lost his wife, and two children lost their mother. The consequences extend far beyond the hospital walls.”
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot — often originating in the deep veins of the legs — travels to the lungs and obstructs blood flow. Though PE can be fatal, timely diagnosis and treatment can frequently prevent the worst outcomes.
Duffy & Duffy investigated the circumstances of the woman’s care and pursued the case on behalf of her family.
“The settlement cannot restore what this family lost,” Duffy added. “What it can do is provide financial security for a family facing extraordinary challenges — while reinforcing the importance of recognizing and responding to potentially life-threatening conditions when patients seek help.”
No. Our injury cases are handled on a contingent retainer. You pay nothing upfront, and we recover attorney’s fees only if your litigation is successful. We don’t bill by the hour. You don’t need to worry about running up a large attorney’s bill before you see any recovery for your injuries.
Yes. Our firm is dedicated to creating a strong relationship with our clients, beginning with keeping your information and consultation confidential.
Each case we encounter is carefully screened and evidence scrutinized to make sure the claim is meritorious and may be successful at trial. We will perform an investigation, and then our partners make a final decision on whether to take on a case.
