Two Families File Court Documents Against All Children’s Hospital
Two families filed court documents one day apart with the Pinellas County court against the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Both families had children that were patients at the hospital’s heart institute who had suffered permanent and debilitating injuries as a result of their treatment and are claiming that the heart institute committed medical malpractice in the care of their children.
The first family, Oscar and Rosana Escamilla, stated in their court documents that they intend to bring claims against one or more healthcare providers and asked the court to seal the request. Their daughter, Alexcia Escamilla, suffered a stroke after her heart surgery in 2016 at the All Children’s heart institute that has left her unable to walk. The other case filed with the Pinellas County court was by John Carlos Viera Santana and Karen Maldonado Rodriguez. They claim that their son, Jean Kariel Viera Maldonado, received a heart transplant at All Children’s hospital. According to the filing, the stitching connecting Jean’s new heart to his body broke, which caused a stroke that has left him unable to walk.
Both children were part of the Tampa Bay Times series “Heartbroken,” which documented a number of potential medical malpractice or negligence cases at the All Children’s heart institute that, when looked at in its entirety, show a pattern of above average injuries, disabilities, and fatal accidents at the hospital. The mortality rate at the institute tripled between 2015 and 2017, with one in ten children treated dying as a result of treatment at the institute in 2017. Following the report, the hospital’s CEO resigned immediately along with a number of other high ranking hospital administrators. It is unclear if any other families will file lawsuits against the hospital or its healthcare providers at this time.
Medical Malpractice Law in Florida
Medical malpractice is never expected because you always assume that your doctor, surgeon, and hospital will provide the best possible care to you and your loved ones. When the malpractice occurs with a child the results are even more devastating, especially when the injuries result in permanent disability or death. Florida law provides only a small window of time to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against a medical professional that harmed you. The victim is given two years from the date of the injury or when the injury should have been discovered, and in no case longer than four years after the date of the injury. The only exception is for children under the age of eight years old, in which case the family has until the child’s eighth birthday to file a claim. If your child was injured by a doctor or other medical professional, it is critical that you speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney today.
Call Our Office Today
If you or your loved one has been injured by a doctor or other medical professional in Florida, our office is here to help. Call or contact Gary Roberts & Associates in West Palm Beach to speak with a medical malpractice attorney today about your claim.
Resource:
floridapolitics.com/archives/285207-two-families-file-court-documents-hinting-at-possible-all-childrens-suit-over-botched-heart-surgeries
