On Feb. 12, 2010, plaintiff Maria Correa, 44, homemaker, underwent an ambulatory procedure at Metropolitan Hospital, which included the insertion of a mediport into her left subclavian vein for the administration of chemotherapy. Following the surgery she complained of chest pains. Two days later she was found to have sustained a dissection of the aorta.
Correa, and her husband, Juan Correa, sued the New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., which operated the hospital, alleging that the doctors’ treatment was negligent and constituted medical malpractice.
Correa contended that the doctors were negligent for failing to properly place the mediport, and failing to recognize the dissection.
Plaintiff’s treating doctor opined that the mediport was placed in the wrong position and that incorrect placement of the mediport is not an accepted risk of the procedure. He further planned to opine that the doctors were negligent for failing to timely diagnose the injury.
The defendants planned to argue that the injury was an accepted risk of the procedure, as the left subclavian vein is near the aorta.
Injuries/Damages
Correa sustained a dissection of the aorta.
She was diagnosed with the condition at Columbia Medical Center, where she underwent an emergency surgery to insert a graft stent into the aortic arch and a stent into the subclavian artery. Correa remained in the hospital for one week.
Correa contended that the stent will be permanent and will require monitoring, including annual check-ups.
Correa sought recovery for past and future pain and suffering. She also accrued a medical lien of $100,000.
The defendants contended that Correa made a good recovery.
