TX Jury Awards Multiple Amputee $10M In Heparin Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

A Texas jury awarded $10 million to a man who became a multiple amputee after being given the blood thinner, heparin, at Methodist Hospital. The medical malpractice lawsuit alleged that the hospital and several of its doctors were negligent in not observing his condition after being given the drug which led to gangrene and the necessity of amputating several body parts.

Texas medical malpractice

This Texas medical malpractice lawsuit involves a Houston mechanic. According to news reports, 32 year old John German went to Methodist Hospital three times in 2002 – once for heart surgery to repair a valve, a second time to repair an issue with stitches from that surgery and a third time to implant an artificial heart valve. During his stays at Methodist, he was given heparin, a blood thinner which has been a source of controversy for several years. The drug caused German to develop gangrene in several areas and he had to have all ten fingers amputated, all of the toes on his right foot and his left leg above the knee. All at the age of 32.

He sued the hospital and several of the doctors who attended to him for medical malpractice. He alleged that the doctors were negligent in not observing him after administering heparin. German’s medical malpractice attorney was able to prove to the jury that the doctors, along with the hospital, were negligent and they awarded him $10 million. The hospital is responsible for paying half of the damages award and the several doctors involved are responsible for paying the remaining $5 million.

Have you been injured?

The alleged negligence in some medical malpractice cases, such as the one described above, is more apparent than in other cases. However, never assume that you don’t have a case without first speaking with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your situation and evaluate your options as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.