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Litigation Funding Blog

Alleged Negligence Leads to Death of Patient at Drug Treatment Facility

March 22, 2017

A Pennsylvania woman filed suit against a drug treatment facility and its personnel alleging negligence in the treatment of her drug addicted 43-year-old husband.

On admission to the drug addiction center, the patient was given a cocktail of 17 drugs to assist in the withdrawal process, including: Subutex, Phenobarbital, Vistaril, Librium, Tylenol, Serax, Folic Acide, Prilosec, Colase, Catapres, Cymbalta Bentyl, Abilify, and Albuterol.

During his stay at the clinic, the patient complained of withdrawal symptoms, and the physician diagnosed alcohol, opiate, benzo and cocaine dependence. He was given Subutex, and several other drugs at that time, which are known to be respiratory depressants. The patient was found dead in his room later in the day on January 9, 2015. Although CPR was attempted, he never regained consciousness and died shortly thereafter.

The Pennsylvania drug addiction center and two doctors were named in this medical negligence lawsuit filed by the decedent’s wife, the administratrix of his estate. According to the statement of claim, the deceased voluntarily entered the drug addiction treatment center to seek help. The man was screened by staff prior to admission, a process that included obtaining a detailed mental and physical health history, a psychosocial assessment and a complete physical.

The plaintiff alleged that during the admission process, the defendants were alerted or should have become aware that the deceased had physical and psychological problems. The deceased was addicted to alcohol, heroin and crack cocaine. In addition, he had a long history of anxiety, depression, asthma, tachycardia, bipolar disorder and vocal cord dysfunction.

The plaintiff further alleged her husband’s death was caused by the collective negligence of the staff and medical personnel at the drug treatment facility. The plaintiff is seeking personal injury damages.

Cases such as this one may take months or years to be resolved and even when a resolution is reached, settlement monies may be delayed, creating financial difficulties for the plaintiff. Insurance companies are reluctant to write a settlement check. In a situation such as this, reach out to Litigation Funding Corporation and ask about a lawsuit cash advance.

Lawsuit funding is not only used during trial litigation, but it is also used when a plaintiff’s case is pending an appeal or they are waiting on a settlement check. A lawsuit cash advance is not to be confused with a loan. Repayment is contingent on receiving a settlement. If the plaintiff loses the case, any repayment is waived.

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