Missouri Couple Awarded $6.4 Million in Malpractice Suit

A Maryland Heights couple has been awarded $6.4 million by a St. Louis County jury in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

According to Missouri Lawyers Weekly, this is one of the largest medical malpractice awards in the state of Missouri on record in its database.

Jeffrey Schneider, 59, suffered a stroke in 2007 as the result of what he and his wife Connie Schneider say was medical negligence. Their lawsuit alleged that the infection that Mr. Schneider suffered from could have been diagnosed and treated before it lead to an acute stroke, but that the treating physician was negligent.

Dr. Joseph Thompson of SSM DePaul Medical Group diagnosed Schneider with mitral valve prolapse in 1996. Mitral valve prolapse is a condition where the valve of the heart is unable to close all the way. This can allow for blood to flow backwards in the heart. This condition was still present in 2001, as evidenced by another echocardiogram.

Instead of treating the condition, the Schneiders say that the issue was never addressed again after 2001. And that after 2002 the doctor never mentioned Schneider’s heart condition again in his notes and list of diagnoses. In the suit the Schneiders say that Jeffrey Schneider was never even referred to a cardiologist by Dr. Thompson.

Then in April 2007 Schneider became very sick. He sought treatment from Dr. Thompson for symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. According to the lawsuit, Schneider said he felt like he was dying. At this point Dr. Thompson referred his patient to several other doctors to have some tests done, though he still did not suggest that Schneider see a cardiologist, nor did he order any heart tests to be done.

By May of 2007 Connie Schneider was extremely worried about her husband. She contacted Thompson to tell him of Schneider’s rapidly deteriorating condition, requesting that her husband be admitted to the hospital. The lawsuit alleged that Thompson told Connie Schneider that the couple should continue waiting, until the results from tests that the hematologist performed come in.

But then on June 12, 2007, Schneider had a stroke. The acute stroke was caused by a bacterial infection on the valve of his heart. Ever since the stroke he has limited use of the right side of his body, has problems with short term memory, and has difficulty processing words. Subsequently, he has been unable to return to his position as a bank examiner and IT specialist at the Federal Reserve Bank.

Thompson’s attorneys believe that the evidence failed to show that there was any medical negligence or that the injuries were the result of any negligence.

Missouri Medical Malpractice Attorneys

If you have been harmed by medical malpractice, contact a Missouri medical malpractice attorney. There are statutes of limitation for medical malpractice lawsuits, so acting quickly is important. The medical malpractice lawyers at the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm can help you to get the compensation you deserve if you have been injured or if a loved one has died because of a malpractice incident.

Call today at (314) 588-7200 to set up your free consultation.