Loomis, CA asked in Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death for California

Q: Hello there , Is there any path of legal options on a sepsis death of a 64 year old from a heart valve replacement ?

2 Lawyer Answers
Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
Answered
  • Mill Valley, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Yes. It begins with expert opinions that the "standard of care" was violated, and that that violation legally "caused" the death.

Robert Dourian and Tim Akpinar agree with this answer

Robert Dourian
Robert Dourian
Answered
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyer
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: You question can only be answered with questions:

1. How did the Sepsis develop? What caused the Sepsis? What caused the initial infection? Was it solely caused by a valve replacement procedure?

2. Was an autopsy performed? If so what is cause of death? What does death certificate state is cause of death?

3. If the question is can the cardiologist be sued for causing infection and sepsis during procedure, you will need to hire two experts: a. Cardiologist-heart value specialist and b. Infectious disease doctor, to determine if standard of care was breached, if so, by who, what did the standard require, and how did the breach from the standard of care cause infection-sepsis and death of patient. We do not advance these expert witness fees and costs. also,

4. Was an Informed Consent form signed by the patient before the procedure? If so, what did it list if anything as an inherent risk of the procedure? Did it include infection? Sepsis?

Hope this helps a little. Good luck RD

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

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