$1,200,000 Settlement

Our client, a 58-year-old New York City Transit worker, had a history of hypertension and was taken by ambulance to a New York City hospital in Brooklyn with left upper body weakness. The initial examination indicated that he may have been suffering from a stroke, which meant that it was important to confirm the initial diagnosis and administer treatment as soon as possible. If it was a stroke, he would have to be transported to a hospital that treated stroke patients. In order for our client to get to a hospital with a “stroke team” in time to administer the appropriate medication, the Brooklyn hospital had to act quickly in confirming its initial diagnosis. Unfortunately, there was a delay in ordering, conducting and reviewing the appropriate tests. By the time the stroke was confirmed, and our client was transported to the stroke hospital, it was too late to administer what is called “clot buster” medication. Although he was treated for a stroke, the clot buster medication could not be administered and he now suffers from stroke-related injuries.

The Brooklyn hospital defended the case vigorously, alleging that they acted swiftly in diagnosing his stroke, which had occurred prior arriving at the emergency room (ER), and that he was transported to the stroke center as quickly as possible. It was the hospital’s position that nothing could have been done to prevent his injuries. They believed that by the time our client arrived at the ER, it was too late.

We were fully prepared to proceed to trial, and based on the extreme level of preparation by our firm, the defendants agreed to a mediation. A full PowerPoint presentation and timeline of events demonstrated the strength of our legal theory and commitment to our client. Although the case did not settle at the mediation, it did settle a few days later for $1.2 million.