Lawsuit Information Center
Piedmont Medical Center, the hospital of choice for many South Carolina residents living in York County, Chester County, and Lancaster County settled a wrongful death medical malpractice lawsuit that would have gone to trial next month. According to Rock Hill Herald, a woman had ear surgery and went to the emergency room at Piedmont Medical Center two days later, complaining of numbness in her left leg. The lawsuit contends that a doctor failed to order a blood test that would have properly diagnosed her condition (I’m not sure exactly what the condition was). Unfortunately, the woman slipped into a coma and died. Her family brought a wrongful death medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor, the emergency room group at the hospital, and Piedmont. The hospital paid the bulk settlement, which was in excess of $1.2 million.
Medical Malpractice Verdicts and Settlements Involving Piedmont Medical Center
- 2020, South Carolina: $1,000,000 Verdict. A 66-year-old man fell down several steps. His medical history included Stage IV liver cancer and bony metastases. The man presented to Piedmont Medical Center’s ER. His CT scans were interpreted as normal. The man was discharged. His symptoms worsened. Two days later, the man presented to a different ER. He was diagnosed with an L1 fracture and nine rib fractures. The man developed kidney failure and pneumonia. He was discharged to comfort care. The man died weeks later. His family alleged negligence against Piedmont. They claimed its staff failed to properly read his CT scans and order additional tests. The jury awarded $1,000,000.
- 2019, South Carolina: $625,000 Settlement. An 86-year-old woman developed bedsores while hospitalized at Piedmont Medical Center. She died from her injuries. The woman’s family alleged negligence against Piedmont. They claimed its staff failed to periodically rotate her, prevent bedsores, provide an appropriate bed, and make a wound care specialist referral. This case settled for $625,000.
- 2018, South Carolina: $4,000,000 Settlement. A baby boy was delivered via emergency C-section at Piedmont Medical Center. He suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The boy developed cerebral palsy. He experienced developmental delays. The boy was left with permanent disfigurements and disabilities. His parents alleged negligence against Piedmont. They claimed its staff failed to timely respond to fetal distress, rule out preeclampsia, timely respond to maternal bleeding, and timely perform a C-section. This case settled for $4,000,000.
- 2017, South Carolina: $100,000 Settlement. A woman suffered ankle pain that radiated up to her lower back. Her condition affected her ability to walk. The woman presented to Piedmont Medical Center’s ER. She was diagnosed with Venous Thrombosis. Hours later, the woman died in her sleep. A pulmonary thromboembolism caused her death. The woman’s family alleged negligence against Piedmont. They claimed its staff failed to appreciate her medical history of Factor V deficiency and Deep Vein Thrombosis and provide blood thinners. This case settled for $100,000.