Premium
Medical and legal management of adult acute epiglottitis
Author(s) -
Mcnelis Francis L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198502000-00001
Subject(s) - medicine , executor , plaintiff , medical negligence , medical malpractice , malpractice , epiglottitis , medical emergency , law , surgery , political science
A case of acute epiglottitis without prior treatment in a 64‐year‐old hypertensive alcoholic male is reported. A correct diagnosis was made in the emergency room and tracheostomy deferred as airway seemed adequate. A trial course of medical therapy under close observation was felt indicated. A detailed history up to the time of death, 8 hours after admission, will be presented as well as the findings at post mortem. Nine months later the executor of the estate filed a S2 million malpractice suit against the defendant doctor and the defendant hospital for wrongful death. A pretrial deposition was held followed by an offer to settle. This was refused and a trial date set in Superior Court. One week before trial another offer to settle was mode by the plaintiff for S12,500 from each of the two defendants. This offer was accepted.