Substandard medical care continues to be problematic in many Hawaii hospitals and throughout the nation. Each year, countless victims suffer serious injuries, deaths or illnesses due to mistakes made by medical staff members. In a recent case, Joan River’s daughter, Melissa, settled a medical malpractice claim she filed after her mother’s death.
The popular comedienne died in September 2014 after undergoing surgery. Apparently, Rivers went into cardiac arrest during the operation. She initially survived the incident, but she died approximately one week later.
The younger Rivers told reporters she is pleased to have legal closure in the claim she filed on behalf of her mother. The legal claim stated that her mother’s personal physician was allowed to enter the operating room and performed a procedure prior to the scheduled endoscopy that caused the elder Rivers’ blood pressure to drop. The plaintiffs and defendants reportedly settled the case to avoid prolonged litigation.
Those listed as defendants apparently accepted responsibility for their actions. Melissa Rivers said that she hopes her situation leads to changes in outpatient surgery standards to prevent others from suffering as her family has suffered. Anyone in Hawaii acting on behalf of a decedent whose death is believed to have been caused by medical malpractice is advised to seek legal counsel before proceeding to court. In such situations, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, and an experienced attorney can investigate a situation and help identify all possible sources of liability, as well as enlist the testimonies of various experts who may be able to substantiate the claim.
Source: Newsweek, “Joan Rivers’ Daughter Melissa Settles Medical Malpractice Lawsuit“, Tufayel Ahmed, May 13, 2016