by Virginia Lawyers Weekly Staff

Dolan Media Newswires

 

RICHMOND, VA -- $3,500,000 Verdict

 

The 24-year-old decedent went to the defendant doctor with chest pain and a cough. He was diagnosed with chestwall pain and prescribed a narcotic pain reliever. The decedent returned the next day with complaints of increased chest pain and spitting up blood-stained sputum. He was perspiring and vomiting in the doctor’s waiting room. He was diagnosed with upper respiratory infection and prescribed a cough syrup containing more narcotics.

 

That same day the decedent visited the hospital and underwent a chest X-ray. The hospital confirmed with the defendant’s office that the doctor received the results via facsimile shortly thereafter. The X-ray showed pneumonia.

 

However, the decedent was unaware of the new diagnosis because the X-ray results were not reviewed by the defendant doctor until two days later. Upon review of X-ray results, the doctor’s office misdialed the decedent’s phone number when trying to contact him with the diagnosis of pneumonia. No further attempts were made by the defendant to contact the patient.

 

Decedent’s former wife found him at home unresponsive. He died of pneumonia shortly after admission to the emergency department.

 

The jury verdict was reduced to the medical malpractice cap of $1.85 million.

 

[10-T-206]

 

Type of action: Medical malpractice

 

Injuries alleged: Death - Streptococcal pneumonia in all four lobes of lungs

 

Name of case: Vicky T. Westermann, Admin. of the Estate of Kenneth M. Westermann, deceased v. Arthur V. Bermisa MD and Bermisa and Bermisa MD, PLC

 

Court: Portsmouth Circuit Court

 

Case no.: CL07-2310

 

Date: Sept. 16, 2010

 

Tried before: Jury

 

Judge: Johnny E. Morrison

 

Verdict or Settlement: Verdict

 

Amount: $3,500,000

 

Attorney for plaintiff: Philip J. Geib, Virginia Beach

 

Attorneys for defendants: Carolyn P. Oast and Mark J. Favaloro, Virginia Beach

 

Plaintiff’s experts: Richard Hoffman MD; Glenn McDermott MD; Wendy Gunther MD, medical examiner

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