When someone is injured while in the care of a medical provider, that individual may decide to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in conjunction with the injury. When a hospital is a part of a university system, it is possible that university will be sued as well. This was the case with Ohio University.
The university was accused of failing to diagnose a student with a flesh-eating bacterium. That bacteria, ultimately led the young woman who contracted it, to lose her arm via an amputation. Her right arm was removed, including her shoulder blade.
Recently that case settled. The young woman will receive a total of $250,000 for her injuries. Thought that amount may seem like a lot, the woman was actually seeking more. She was hoping to do away with an Ohio law that makes it impossible for someone to receive more than $250,000 from a university. That claim was not accepted however.
Misdiagnosis is one of the biggest reasons that medical malpractice lawsuits are filed. These types of issues can arise in a variety of settings, resulting in varying levels of injury. Because many medical problems occur as a result of this, it important that these lawsuits exist.
It is not uncommon for a civil lawsuit to settle before reaching the trial phase. Because of the unpredictability of juries, many agree to such settlements to make sure that they have something rely on. Money will not change the harm that has been inflicted, but it may make it easier to accept and live with.
Source: WOUB, “Ohio University Settles Lawsuit,” Steve Robb, Aug. 8, 2013