Jessica Ramirez was awarded $12 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit against Greater El Monte Community Hospital. Ramirez is currently in a vegetative state after waiting at the emergency room for hours without being treated for a brain injury.
The incident occurred in 2007. Ramirez was shot in the head with an air gun. Immediately following the injury, she was fully conscious and able to walk herself to the emergency room at Greater El Monte Community Hospital. She waited at the emergency room for five hours without being treated. Ramirez was finally air lifted via helicopter to another hospital, where surgery was performed to remove the air-rifle pellet from her brain.
By the time she arrived at the second hospital, Ramirez was minimally conscious and suffered severe, permanent brain damage. As a result of the traumatic brain injury, she needs 24 hour care.
At the trial, the neurosurgeon who operated on her testified that the damage, caused by bleeding and pressure build-up in her brain, would have been substantially less severe had Ramirez received prompt medical treatment.
Greater El Monte Community Hospital supports the actions of their staff, claiming that they were not negligent in failing to treat Ramirez. They plan to appeal the verdict.
If you have suffered an injury do to an emergency room error, you may be entitled to receive compensation through a medical malpractice claim. It is important to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney to ensure you receive a fair and proper settlement.
If you have a medical malpractice claim in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, please contact the law offices of Stipe, Harper, Laizure, Uselton, Belote, Maxcey & Thetford today to schedule your free initial consultation.
