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Call today for a free consultation and read here to learn more about wrongful death claims. title: Fatal Medical Errors in Washington DC | Death Caused By Malpractice --- Fatal Medical Errors in Washington DC | Death Caused By Malpractice # Fatal Medical Errors Last Updated: September 4, 2024 Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Medical Malpractice Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/medical-malpractice/) » Fatal Medical Errors What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $35.6 Million Medical Malpractice $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice $5 Million Medical Malpractice $4.5 Million Medical Malpractice $600,000 Medical Malpractice [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. Tilwanda Dofat Personal Injury They held my hand through the entire process. Meraf Mitchell They paved the way for a brighter future. Sheree Whitby I’m greeted with a hug every time I come. Sheba Halliburton Personal Injury They are always was available for any of my concerns. Teresa Morring Your office has taken care of us every step. Shyama Personal Injury ## Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Sheldon describes how a routine elective surgery left his wife with permanent anoxic brain injury, requiring around-the-clock care. Attorney Joseph Cammarata took the case to trial and secured a jury verdict exceeding $35 million — a record in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time. Video Transcript **Sheldon (00:05):** In October of 2015, which we just hit our nine-year anniversary, my wife went in for elective back surgery. And the course of that surgery, the surgeon nicked a stomach artery coming from the back and it took them 22 minutes to figure out how to stop the bleeding. They didn’t know where it was coming from. So essentially my wife coded for 22 minutes, no oxygen, no blood getting to the brain, she should have died. But they finally sutured her up and she lived because she’s a fighter, but she now and then had anoxic brain injury and nine years later she still can’t perform any of the activities of daily living. She never will be able to. She’s incontinent. She requires a caregiver 24/7, and I’m that caregiver about 70% of the time. My kids were 13 and 16 at the time. So I had to kind of say, well, mommy’s not coming home from the hospital the next day, and eventually your mother’s not going to be coming home the same. **Sheldon (01:00):** So they now kind of take care of her and they don’t have a mom anymore that they knew, and I can’t replace her in that sense. Her salary and she was working at the time, was going to go to the college education and I was working. So it changed a lot of things, but primarily we just lost the person we knew to love. So at the point when I finally realized I wanted to get some legal assistance, I shopped around a little bit and then I thought about Joe and I’m glad I did. So I came to this office and we talked about the case and he was aware that she’d been injured, but didn’t know any of the details, and he looked into it and said, this is a case I want to take on. I want to help you guys. The jury voted in favor of us. **Sheldon (01:49):** The award was the highest in this Commonwealth of Virginia at the time. It was excess of 35 million. Help you address it. Do you know that I had anoxic brain interest? You do. So if I was in my shoes again or talking to someone about what they would do, I would call this firm. I think they’re really great. They’re good people. They’ve been doing this for a long time. So I just think you would get a fair shake here and you would be well treated. And it’s not, again, just attorneys. It’s a team of people behind the scenes that will help you. So I’m not being paid to give this endorsement, but I think they’re really good for. # Wrongful Death Caused By Medical Malpractice ## 90+ Years of Combined Experience Working For You It may seem like common sense that hospitals would not charge for medical errors such as leaving objects inside of patients after surgery, or amputating the wrong limb, but unfortunately, when it comes to medical billing practices, common sense and reality are rarely one in the same. New Medicare/Medicaid regulations may save tax dollars, and provide a legal foundation for medical malpractice victims. Medicare and some health insurance companies have decided to put their foot down on avoidable medical errors and refuse to pay for them. In the case of the new Medicare regulations, not only will Medicare stop paying for the mistakes, but hospitals will no longer be able to bill patients for them. **Effective in October, 2008, Medicare will no longer pay for, and hospitals can no longer bill you for:** - Object mistakenly left in a patient during surgery - Bedsores - Preventable air embolism - Complications from incompatible blood transfusions - Catheter-associated urinary-tract infections - Vascular catheter-associated infection - Surgery-site infection after coronary-artery-bypass graft surgery - Patient falls #### WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU If you have been the victim of a medical error, which is recognized as unbillable by Medicare, you have a better chance of winning in a **medical malpractice lawsuit**. It means that the tide is turning, and that a minimal standard of care is being recognized and expected. It means that there is a tangible list of errors for which you cannot be legally billed. That list is expected to grow. #### SOME HOSPITALS ARE MAKING VOLUNTARY CHANGES **The American Hospital Association now asks its member to refrain from charging from 28 medical errors including:** - Surgery on the wrong patient - Surgery on the wrong body part - Wrong surgical procedure - Leaving a foreign object inside of a patient - Discharging an infant to the wrong person - Death or disability of the mother in a low-risk pregnancy - Death or serious disability in an infant associated with jaundice - Artificial insemination with the wrong donor sperm or wrong egg - Abduction of a patient - Sexual assault of a patient - A death or significant injury of patient or staff from physical assault - Care ordered by someone impersonating a physician, a nurse, a pharmacist or other licensed health-care provider When left unattended, the ramifications of **medical malpractice** can affect your health, your credit, and your financial future. Mistakes and errors, which you may feel that you should not have to pay for, may still be billed, and those bills can haunt you for years to come. If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, and have been billed for medical errors, simply refusing to pay will not clear you of your debt. You need the help of an experienced medical malpractice attorney. **If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Washington, DC, [please contact one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys today. ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/)We will examine your case at no cost. Our accident attorneys are committed to ensuring justice for you – the victim.** [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/virginia/)  ([Northern Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/northern-virginia/),  [Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-attorneys-in-arlington-va/), [Fairfax](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/fairfax/),  [Woodbridge](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/woodbridge-va/),  [Manassas](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/manassas-va/),  and [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/alexandria-car-accident-lawyers/)), and [Maryland](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/maryland/)  ([Bethesda](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bethesda-car-accident-lawyer/),  [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/hyattsville/),  [Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/car-accident-lawyer-rockville-md/),  [Laurel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/laurel/),  [Montgomery County](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/montgomery-county/),  [Prince George’s County](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/prince-georges-county/),  [Waldorf](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/waldorf/),  [Upper Marlboro](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/upper-marlboro/),  [Frederick](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/frederick/),  [Bowie](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bowie-md/),  and  [Silver Spring](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-lawyers-in-silver-spring-md/)). Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio Related Articles Read More Blog Articles $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict Pharmaceutical Errors Managed Care Zika Blood Test Errors Transvaginal Mesh Talcum Powder Lawsuits Surgical Errors Fatal Medical Errors Failure to Treat [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2022/06/law-firm-obtains-17-1-million-medical-malpractice-verdict/) Medical Malpractice Law Firm Obtains $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict On April 6, 2022 Partner Allan M. 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