There are many risks to a patient when they undergo major surgery in South Carolina and other states. Sadly, complications from surgery can leave lasting injuries to a patient, and in some cases, these complications can even lead to death. Actor Bill Paxton had heart surgery in 2017. He had a stroke related to that surgery and died less than two weeks after the surgery. His family filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital and medical care providers.
Details of the lawsuit
After the death of Mr. Paxton, his wife and two children filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital where the surgery was performed as well as the surgeon. They believed that the surgeon performed an unnecessarily risky surgery. The family also claimed that the surgeon may not have been experienced enough to perform the procedure safely.
Mr. Paxton’s family has gone through a very difficult legal battle for several years since his death. They’ve been through many court hearings and made attempts to get all relevant evidence about the case from the hospital. They finally had a court date but were able to settle out of court. The details of the settlement are unknown.
A legal case for medical malpractice
Patients and their families are usually under a lot of stress when faced with a serious surgical procedure. They should not have to also worry about negligence on behalf of the facility or providers involved. When negligence does happen, and the patient is injured or dies due to complications, the victim or surviving family members may have the option to sue for damages. South Carolina residents who believe they are victims of medical malpractice have the right to consult an attorney for advice on pursuing a case.