American Girl Dies Two Days After Hospital Visit for Medication
"Court Recognizes Hospital Negligence for Excessive Morphine Prescription"
Hospital Failed to Admit Patient Despite Her Complaints of Pain
A tragic incident occurred in which an 11-year-old American girl, who had previously been declared cured of leukemia, died just days after being prescribed an excessive dose of painkillers at a hospital she revisited. Recently, the hospital was found liable for negligence in this case, and was ordered to pay 28 billion won in damages. On June 19 (local time), CBS News, People, and other foreign media reported that a court ruling had been made regarding the death of Ava Wilson, an 11-year-old girl who lived in Crown Point, Indiana.
Sim Wondan acknowledged the hospital's negligence and was awarded a total of 20.5 million dollars (approximately 28 billion won) in damages by the court. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay
Previously, on October 29, 2020, Wilson and her parents visited Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. At the time of the visit, Ava was in remission from B-lymphoblastic leukemia, and no leukemia cells were detected in her blood tests. The hospital prescribed Ava 100mg of gabapentin three times a day and 15mg of morphine every four hours as needed. This dosage was three times higher than the morphine dose she had previously been prescribed.
Two days later, on the night of October 31, Ava died in her sleep at home. The cause of death was determined to be mixed drug toxicity resulting from the combined effects of morphine, hydroxyzine, and gabapentin. The legal representative pointed out, "When these medications are administered together, their effects can become significantly stronger due to drug interactions."
Family Sues Hospital for Negligence Leading to Child's Death
An 11-year-old American girl who had been declared cured of leukemia passed away in her sleep just days after being prescribed an overdose of painkillers at the hospital. CBS News
The family filed a medical malpractice lawsuit, claiming that the hospital's negligence caused the child's death. The legal representative criticized, "The hospital should have admitted Ava to stabilize her blood pressure and heart rate and to determine the cause of her pain. However, they made a serious mistake by only prescribing excessive painkillers and sending her home." Although Ava's primary physician did not directly participate in the treatment at that time, it was reported that the physician approved the treatment plan under the pretext of managing pain at home. Regarding this, attorney Matthew Williams, who handled the lawsuit, stated, "Ava's body was clearly crying out for help, but the medical staff ignored those cries."
During the civil trial that began in Cook County, Illinois, on May 29, 2024, the hospital's legal team argued that all prescriptions were within recommended guidelines. They also countered that Ava's symptoms appeared consistent with leukemia complications. However, the jury found the hospital liable for negligence and awarded the family a total of 20.5 million dollars (approximately 28 billion won) in damages. This amount included compensation for "past and future loss of family relationships, grief, and emotional distress." In response to the verdict, the hospital issued a statement expressing "deepest condolences to Ava's family" and said, "We are committed to providing appropriate care to all patients."
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