Negligent Treatment of Postoperative Infection and Death Lead to Undisclosed Settlement

Ana Mejia, 35, was admitted to an undisclosed hospital to undergo a tubal ligation following the birth of her third child. The procedure was done by a doctor employed by the Public Health Service. Although she experienced postoperative bleeding and dizziness, she was discharged with a prescription for pain killers.

The next day, Mejia allegedly called her treating medical clinic, with the help of a friend, to report that she was experiencing high fever and significant pain. Her condition continued to deteriorate, and she was taken by ambulance to the hospital the next day.

Mejia went into septic shock, renal failure and other problems that required emergency surgery. Cultures from this surgery revealed Group A streptococcus and candida. Mejia was then taken to the ICU where she suffered cardiac arrest and several strokes.

As a result, Mejia remained hospitalized for eight months and suffered from locked-in syndrome and paralysis. Her condition required that she live in a nursing home until her death six years later.

Before her death, she sued the United States and the hospital alleging negligent treatment of a postoperative infection among other claims. It was contended that had she been instructed to go to the hospital when she called the day after her discharge, she would not have developed septic shock from her infection.

The United States and the hospital settled the case for an undisclosed amount.

The attorney successfully handling this tragic death case was David C. Cook.

The Mejia family lawyer engaged the services of an infectious disease expert.

Mejia v. United States, No. 7:13CV1789 (S.D. N.Y.).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling wrongful death lawsuits, medical malpractice cases, hospital negligence lawsuits, misdiagnosis of infection cases and traumatic brain injury lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Arlington Heights, Geneva, Northbrook, Northfield, Glenview, Round Lake Beach, St. Charles, Fox River Grove, Cicero, Elgin, Waukegan, Zion, Bedford Park, Blue Island, Chicago (Ravenswood Manor, Rogers Park, Sauganash, South Loop, University of Chicago, Wildwood, Pilsen, Printer’s Row, Morgan Park, Little Italy, Lithuanian Plaza, Bucktown, Bronzeville, Beverly, Belmont Gardens, Hyde Park), Highland Park, Highwood, Park Ridge, Lake Forest and Des Plaines, Ill.