Last month a shocking verdict was handed down in multiple lawsuits related to wrongful death. A federal jury in Denver, Colorado awarded the families in the wrong death lawsuits $383.5 million. Why did they get so much money?

The Egregious Act

The dialysis giant, DaVita, was the defendant in these wrongful death lawsuits. According to the families of those that died, their loved one suffered cardiac arrest after being treated at the DaVita clinic. DaVita treats patients with GranuFlo. GranuFlo was known by the company to cause toxic pH imbalances and alkalosis. Alkalosis occurs when the body has too much base within it. This may cause general weakness or cramps within the body and eventually kill you. In 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a recall of GranuFlo. Shouldn't this be enough to stop using GranuFlo?

DaVita's Failure

According to the article, DaVita did not inspect or review the composition of the GranuFlo devices they had. It was also mentioned that workers at DaVita did not notice when alarming blood changes occurred in the patients when they returned for treatment. “DaVita should have been aware of the uptick in the reports of death and complications' related to GranuFlo.” According to the complaint, several things could have been done to protect their patients but nothing was done. There was enough evidence showing negligence that the jury sided with the families of the deceased.

Verdict?

The jury verdicts awarded amounts to the families. To each of the three parties, $125 million awarded for punitive damages. And according to the plaintiffs' attorney, $1.5 – $5 million in compensatory damages were awarded to each plaintiff. This does not help or bring back the loved ones that were lost but it shows companies like DaVita they can't use drugs or equipment that pose a significant risk to patients. GranuFlo is one of the cheaper products used at DaVita. Is using cheaper products worth it to these companies? It is worth it for those families that lose loved ones. Negligence often occurs when companies cut corners in pursuit of the almighty buck!

George Tait

Here at George Tait Law we want to help those that are affected by healthcare negligence. We don't want people to suffer like these families in this article have for so long. We also don't want negligent operators to continue operating the way they do because they risk the health of lives of everyone—we simply want to make sure this does not happen to anyone else. Call us at (801) 487-6454 for a free consultation.

George Tait Law and its Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted.  Our information source is cited in the article.  If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm.