Patient dies without required air machine

A 60-year-old father of three adult daughters had a history of sleep apnea, which he treated with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Read more

Patient’s brain bleed mistaken for migraine

In the early morning hours of May 28, 2005, a 29-year-old woman presented to a community hospital emergency department by ambulance with a headache, vomiting and diminished consciousness. Read more

Doctor’s testimony thwarts two appeals by insurance co.

A union ironworker injured his back after lifting heavy railings at Fenway Park. He was diagnosed with disc herniations at the L3-L4 levels and eventually underwent microdiscectomies performed by a Norwood doctor in May 2009. Read more

Dentist allegedly cuts corners to ensure future work

The patient was under the care and treatment of a dentist from September 1998 through August 2006. She alleged that the dentist provided substandard care to her throughout this period. Read more

Rehab facility pays $1 million after a morphine overdose

In June 2008, an 81-year-old woman was admitted to a nursing and rehabilitation facility for rehabilitative therapy after suffering a fractured shoulder. The initial medication orders included a prescription for MS Contin and immediate-release morphine, as well as Donnatal. Read more

Esophagus pierced in an ‘unnecessary’ surgical procedure

An 81-year-old patient presented in August 2006 with complaints of difficulty swallowing, a problem that had been treated periodically for several years. The cause of the dysphagia was unknown. Read more

Physician failed to provide patient with cancer screenings

A 65-year-old man was belatedly diagnosed with cancer of the sigmoid colon, which caused his premature death. Read more

Nurse, doctor fail to recognize at-risk preemie’s infection

A couple brought a wrongful death action on behalf of their 8-day-old twin daughter, who was born premature at 30 weeks. She was intubated at birth, was weaned from the ventilator on day two and progressed to breathing normally on room air on day four. She was small but otherwise healthy. Read more

State gets $1.26M in Medicaid fraud deal

Massachusetts will receive $1.26 million in the state’s latest settlement pertaining to the submission of false Medicaid claims. Read more

Student has brain hemorrhage after 20 hours in ER

An MIT senior presented to the school infirmary with blood in his urine, a history of recent nose bleeds, petechiae on his legs and arms, and blood blisters around his mouth. He was sent immediately by ambulance to a local ER. Read more