PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Duffy Firm, a top Philadelphia catastrophic injury law firm, has
obtained a $44,894,877.70 verdict against Temple University Hospital on behalf of a
19-year-old who now requires a lifetime of 24-hour care due to
hospital negligence.
In Dylan Hernandez v.
Temple University Hospital, Inc. et
al, Tom Duffy and
Sean Dougherty represented the
plaintiff, Hernandez, an innocent 15-year-old bystander who
suffered a gunshot wound to the neck on July
22, 2020. Hernandez was rushed to Episcopal Hospital and
intubated. Once stabilized, he was transferred to Temple University Hospital's SICU floor where he
was diagnosed with an injury to his left vertebral artery, a broken
jaw, and a fracture of his spine at C2.
Two days later, Hernandez was moved to a regular floor and
evaluated by a speech therapist using a barium swallow test, which
indicated moderate pharyngeal dysphagia, a significant potential
for aspiration when eating or drinking. Only two consistencies were
tested: liquids and purees, but not solids, thick liquids, or
postural and swallowing strategies. Though a clinical observation
of Hernandez's attempts to eat was recommended, no one from the
medical team observed Hernandez eating before he was discharged
with instructions -- drafted by a third-year resident -- that
failed to include the critical recommendations from the speech
therapist.
Less than 48 hours after discharge, Hernandez aspirated while
eating mashed potatoes. He was rushed to the hospital where he
suffered a cardiac arrest, resulting in hypoxic respiratory failure
and neurologic injury.
""Defense counsel Joe Tucker and
Rebecca Waddell are certainly
formidable adversaries, backed by two very large law firms. They
threw everything they could at us," said Tom Duffy. "But in the end, for Sean and I, this
is about Dylan Hernandez, who will
be well taken care of for the rest of his life as a result of the
jury's decision."
Prior to trial, the plaintiff's demand was $32,000,000, while the defense offered
$500,000.
With delay damages, the full amount will likely end up at just
under $52,000,000.
The Duffy Firm has been helping those who are
catastrophically injured in Philadelphia and their families for more than
35 years. Learn more at duffyfirm.com.
Contact:
Jamie Mulholland
jamie@mulhollandmarketing.com
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SOURCE The Duffy Firm