Tragically, Julie Bond, a 31-year-old Army wife, fell victim to negligent medical care at Tripler Army Medical Center. The medical malpractice case involved a "botched gastric bypass surgery" that resulted in a devastating outcome. The U.S. government has agreed to pay a $9.5 million settlement to the military family as compensation for this grievous mishap. The $9.5 million settlement, announced by partner Loretta A. Sheehan of Davis Levin Livingston, is a small victory in the face of a massive tragedy.
A Tragedy That Shouldn't Have Occurred
Julie Bond was referred to Tripler Army Medical Center's bariatric surgery program by her primary care physician at Schofield following difficulties in losing weight post-pregnancy. The vibrant and loving woman underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure in November 2020, which ended up being a life-altering event due to the negligence of the surgical team. The surgeons at Tripler, after cutting apart her small intestines - a routine part of the procedure, reattached them backward. This led to a hernia, necessitating emergency surgery three days later. During this surgery, anesthetists damaged Bond’s lungs, leading to the development of blood clots. While a nearby medical center was ready to remove the clots, the doctors chose to administer a clot-busting medication called tPA instead, causing microhemorrhages throughout her brain. This left Julie in a coma, and when she woke, she was a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic, experiencing "locked-in" syndrome.
A History of Negligence at Tripler Army Medical Center
The tragedy that befell the Bond family was not an isolated incident at Tripler. In 2015, Davis Levin Livingston sued Tripler for a similar bariatric surgery performed on a 32-year-old Navy wife, Christina Mettias. Christina, who did not qualify for the procedure, was advised by Tripler’s bariatric surgery program to undergo it. The aftermath was disastrous, leading to a life of pain and unrelenting vomiting due to leaks, infections, internal bleeding, strictures, multiple repair surgeries, endoscopies, and widespread scar tissue. If you believe you've been a victim of medical malpractice—unnecessary illness, injuries, or complications due to a healthcare provider's negligence—then it's time to act.
Reach Out to Davis Levin Livingston for a Complimentary Consultation
Navigating through medical malpractice claims can be demanding and costly. Given the substantial expenses and complexity, Davis Levin Livingston typically takes on cases involving severe injuries. Successful medical malpractice claims significantly aid victims and their families. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the median award for such cases is 17 times higher than other personal injury claims. At Davis Levin Livingston, we have a proven track record of securing favorable results in medical malpractice cases. Don't let your suffering go unnoticed. Call (808) 740-0633 to arrange a consultation with our seasoned medical malpractice attorneys. Our dedicated team of Hawaii medical malpractice lawyers is committed to advocating for injured victims.