We strive to get our clients the best result possible. If a settlement cannot be reached, then we are prepared, and have the experience to try the case. The other side knows we can and will try cases if a just settlement is not reached.
As a general rule at the Schifferman firm, we oppose secrecy settlement agreements where the defendant or the insurer seeks to keep settlements and the misconduct confidential. Secrecy agreements protect defendants who harm others and prevent consumers from making informed choices. We are all consumers of goods and services including medical services and products. We have a right to know about the quality of what we buy and the doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes we use. By making this information available to all, we can help prevent similar injuries in the future.
The following are a sample of some significant settlements and verdicts since 2000:
- Pettijohn v. Dr. Peterson and Group Health
- Failure to diagnose prostate cancer, $4.5 million verdict
- The doctor, an internist, performed annual examinations including PSA tests. This simple blood test is a screening test for prostate cancer. Despite rising levels the doctor did not refer his patient to a urologist for further tests. The delay allowed the cancer to spread outside of the prostate. We proved that proper care required a referral to a urologist who would have diagnosed the cancer before it spread. At the time the jury returned its verdict, this was believed to be the largest verdict against just a doctor in the state.
- Otani v. Dr. Broudy
- Death of an 84 year old woman during angioplasty, $750,000 verdict
- During a "simple angioplasty" the cardiologist punctured the aorta. This directly lead to the patient's death on the table. She was survived by two children.
- Marvin v. Evergreen, et al
- Brain damage from anesthesia, $8.5 million settlement
- The patient, a married father of two, went to the outpatient clinic for shoulder surgery. The anesthetist failed to keep his blood pressure high enough, so not enough oxygen got to the patient's brain. He was left profoundly brain damaged from 30 minutes of partial suffocation.
- King v. Polyclinic, et al
- Failure to diagnose lung cancer, $2.3 million settlement
- The doctors failed to diagnose and treat a woman who had a growing spot on her lungs according to x-ray and CT. Even when the radiologist reported the suspicious spot was larger and probably cancer, her pulmonologists did not act. Their delay allowed her cancer to grow. What once had a 90% chance of survival became a fatal disease.
- Barquist v. Federal Way Convalescence Center, et al
- Nursing home neglect, double amputation and death, $1.95 million settlement
- The nursing home's doctor ordered Doppler studies to assess the resident's vascular status. The tests were not done for 7 weeks. The delay meant her legs received too little blood and lead to infection and gangrene. She had to choose between a double amputation at the hip or dying. She died from infection 3 months following her amputations.
- Ruis v. Remlinger Farms
- Climbing fall, broken leg, $750,000 settlement
- A company picnic included a 25 foot tall rock climbing wall. Ropes and climbing gear were used incorrectly, allowing the climber to fall.
- Martin v. Dr. Guttu
- Failure to diagnose oral cancer, $1.75 million settlement
- An oral surgeon did annual examinations of his patient to follow a white spot on the tongue. He never performed a biopsy. Oral cancers are generally slow growing. The several years' delay allowed the cancer to grow and spread. The patient died shortly before trial leaving behind his wife of 49 years and two children.
- Egemo/Jones v. Dr. Wallner
- Improper radiation therapy for prostate cancer, $2 million settlement
- The patients received excessive and misplaced radiation therapy leading to internal radiation burns.
