Verdicts, Settlements and Judgments

Trial Advocate

David D. Karr  

Court

Pueblo County District Court

Case Type

Medical Malpractice

Client

General Surgeons and Anesthesiologist

Issues

The family of a 55 year old woman sued two general surgeons and an anesthesiologist for alleged negligence resulting in death following parathyroid surgery for hypercalcemia. Prior to surgery, the decedent received methylene blue dye in order to identify the parathyroid adenoma which was to be removed. Following surgery, the decedent experienced serotonin syndrome as a result of a rare reaction of the methylene blue dye in conjunction with anti-depressant medications which the decedent had been taking prior to the time of surgery. During the immediate post op period, the decedent developed mental status changes and significant hyperthermia which lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation as a result of hyperthermia. After a three week trial to a jury, the jury returned a verdict in favor of all three defendants in less then ninety minutes.