A jury in Richmond County, Georgia, has awarded over $3 million to an Aiken man and his wife in a lawsuit against Augusta Hospital LLC. The lawsuit claims that an outpatient procedure at Trinity Hospital, which was operated by Augusta Hospital LLC at the time, resulted in the man’s injury. The verdict was reached on December 20th, 2021.
Attorneys Ken and Caleb Connor, who represented the plaintiffs, expressed their gratitude that justice was finally served after a long legal process. The case was filed more than five years ago and experienced delays due to the backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trinity Hospital, which has undergone changes in ownership and name since the incident, is now known as the Piedmont Augusta Hospital Summerville Campus. The hospital did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The procedure in question took place on November 3rd, 2016, when Willie Wright underwent a filter insertion intended to trap blood clots in preparation for a gastric bypass surgery. The Wrights believed that the hospital used incorrect equipment during the procedure, obstructing the doctor’s view and leading to complications. Additionally, they alleged that the hospital violated the manufacturer’s operating instructions and warnings for the machine used, which resulted in its failure.
Caleb Connor stated that the defense attempted to shift blame onto various parties involved, including the surgeon and the patient, instead of accepting responsibility for the broken machine. The plaintiffs’ legal team argued that the hospital was ultimately responsible for the machine’s failure and the subsequent harm caused to Willie Wright.
After three attempts, the filter was finally removed, but not without consequences. Wright experienced a more than two-month hospital stay, accumulated medical bills totaling $650,000, and continues to face long-term health problems stemming from the procedure. Trinity Hospital’s charges accounted for over $440,000 of the medical expenses.
In conclusion, a jury has awarded an Aiken man and his wife over $3 million in a lawsuit against Augusta Hospital LLC, the legal entity that operated Trinity Hospital at the time of the alleged injury-causing procedure. The plaintiffs claimed that the hospital used the wrong equipment, violated operating instructions, and caused the machine to fail. As a result, the man endured a lengthy hospital stay and significant medical expenses. Trinity Hospital did not immediately respond to requests for comment.