New York Medical Malpractice Attorneys

$450,000-Transfusion Of Mismatched Blood And Subsequent Death Of 59 Year Old Woman

F&F# 94362A

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE - TRANSFUSION OF MISMATCHED BLOOD AND SUBSEQUENT DEATH OF 59 YEAR OLD WOMAN

Jury Verdict:$450,000

Injuries: As a result of the transfusion of mismatched blood, decedent suffering acute renal failure, which permanently damaged her kidneys, thereby requiring dialysis. Deft.'s death certificate listed the immediate cause of decedent's death as cardiopulmonary arrest, which was a consequence of end stage renal disease and sickle cell disease.

Facts: Pltf. decedent, age 59, and unemployed at the time of her death on 10/16/94, had a history of sickle cell disease, and was admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital, a division of defendant Montefiore Medical Center, on 8/31/94 for treatment of severe anemia and painful sickle cell crisis. During the course of her hospitalization, she received blood transfusions to treat the crisis. Prior to any blood transfusions, Defendants personnel performed the first of several "type and screen" tests of decedent's own blood in order to determine which type blood would be a suitable match. The results of this initial 8/31/94 test indicated that decedent had "A-" blood with no known antibodies.

On 9/13/94, a sample of decedent's blood was obtained for another type and screen test, which revealed that her blood type was "A+." On 9/14/94, a fourth unit of "A-" blood was transfused. On 9/15/94 a transfusion reaction was diagnosed. Defendant's covering blood bank director, Dr. Uehlinger, testified that it was a departure from the standard of care at that time to give another transfusions on 9/14/94 before resolving the discrepancy. Dr. Uehlinger conceded the hospital error during her discussion with decedent after she suffered the transfusion reaction.