Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. These failures can lead to legal actions such as lawsuits. Common forms of malpractice include misdiagnosis, birth injuries, and surgical errors, which can result in delayed treatment, incorrect medications, or overlooked conditions.

The three cases below made headlines in recent years and sparked important conversations about patient safety and accountability in the health industry. They raise serious concerns and remind us why it’s crucial to hold healthcare professionals and institutions responsible when things go wrong.

Maya Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (2023)

In 2016, 10-year-old Maya was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida for treatment of chronic pain.  Her mother, Beata, a nurse, advocated for ketamine therapy, but hospital staff suspected her of Munchausen syndrome by proxy—a rare form of child abuse. Maya was placed in state custody, and Beata was barred from contact. Months later, Beata died by suicide.

In response, the Koawlski family filed a lawsuit against the hospital. In 2023, they were awarded $261 million, which is one of the largest malpractice verdicts in US history. This case received national attention following the release of the Netflix documentary, Take Care of Maya.

RaDonda Vaight v. Tennessee Board of Nursing (2022)

In 2017, RaDonda Vaught faced criminal charges after giving the wrong medication to a patient at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee. Vaught mistakenly administered vecuronium, a medication that paralyzes the muscles, rather than Versed, a sedative, that was prescribed for 75-year-old Charlene Murphey.

Although Vaught immediately reported the error, she was still charged with negligent homicide and abuse of an impaired adult in 2022. Her nursing license was revoked, and she was sentenced to three years of supervised probation.

United States v. Javaid Perwaiz (2020)

Dr. Javaid Perwaiz, an OB-GYN practicing in Virginia, was convicted in 2020 on 52 counts of healthcare fraud and making false statements. He schemed to defraud insurance companies by performing life-altering procedures, such as hysterectomies, on women who did not need them, also without their informed consent.

An FBI investigation revealed that, dating back to at least 2010, Perwaiz had been performing procedures with broken equipment and scamming patients into surgery with false claims. He was sentenced to 465 years in prison.

What These Cases Teach Us

Each of these medical malpractice cases highlights the importance of patient safety and the need to hold healthcare providers responsible for their actions. They also shed light on complexities within the healthcare system, particularly around protocols and communication with families. Finally, these cases highlight the need for stronger oversight of medical professionals, a greater emphasis on informed consent, and encouragement for patients and families to seek second opinions.

Seek Legal Representation From Lowenthal & Abrams

You do not have to face the challenges of medical malpractice alone—support and help are available. At Lowenthal & Abrams, our experienced lawyers can help you seek justice. Based in Philadelphia, our firm has a long history and a committed reputation for advocating on behalf of victims across Pennsylvania.

Contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you in holding negligent parties accountable.