A 5-year-old boy was recommended for a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and bilateral tube placement to alleviate chronic snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, and ear & tonsil infections. Though the surgery was successful and the boy was discharged the same day, the child's mother found him gasping for breath the next morning. Despite the mother's efforts to give the child CPR and call 911, the boy was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Plaintiff-estate and mother in this case alleged that the child died due to the synergistic effect of the drugs prescribed in connection with the surgical procedure; namely, fentanyl, codeine and albuterol. The Defendant medical care providers denied any negligence during pre- or post-operative care but settled before trial.
SETTLEMENT: $2,000,000
Estate of Jacob Deniziuk by Stephen and Mary Deniziuk v. Metropolitan Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates; Phillip A. Police, M.D.; James E. Blaugrund, M.D., Linda Diamond P.A.C. and West Penn Allegheny Health System, Inc.