Settlement Likely in Milwaukee County Wrongful Death Suit
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Wrongful Death on Friday, September 30, 2011.
Milwaukee County lawyers are reportedly seeking to settle a nearly 5-year-old lawsuit involving the alleged wrongful death of a 33-year-old woman under the care of the county-run Mental Health Complex.
After an eight-day stretch on life support in 2006, the woman died of various medical issues including starvation, immobility and dehydration, according to the medical examiner’s report. Milwaukee County lawyers have recommended a settlement of $125,000, an offer that the victim’s family will likely accept. Of the $125,000, $41,666 would be paid to the family’s attorney, while $28,000 will be delegated to paying for the victim’s remaining medical bills.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, state investigators launched a probe into the medical facility, and cited deficiencies in the facility’s training procedures, nutritional provisions, and policies. In addition, the probe resulted in the removal of another patient from the facility, who investigators worried was in danger of dying and not receiving proper care. Following this removal, investigators also determined patients of the facility to be “in immediate jeopardy,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The woman, whose cause of death also included a pulmonary embolism, was apparently extremely malnourished after she stopped eating and drinking. Staff at the facility apparently noted her extremely low energy and that she was beginning to urinate on herself and refuse food.
The psychiatrist charged with the victim’s care also resigned last year rather than face a disciplinary hearing. This same psychiatrist had also lost his license for a two-year period in the 1980s after confessing to having sexual intercourse with his patients.
Milwaukee County Wrongful Death Suit Cost to Taxpayers
In addition to the proposed $125,000 lawsuit settlement, Milwaukee County taxpayers have, thus far, paid $331,000 to cover the cost of a defense lawyer hired to defend the county.
The woman’s mother is not happy with the settlement, but said she would accept it anyway. She tells the Journal Sentinel that she is “very disappointed” with the outcome, particularly because the psychiatrist got to keep his pension and his medical license.
If you have suffered an injury in an accident, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. to see if you are entitled to compensation.