Surgical Malpractice Results in Wrongful Death of 30 Year Old
A medical malpractice lawsuit has been filed in the death of a young mother whose heart was punctured by surgical tacks.
According to court documents, in July of 2007 Jeannette Ebeling discovered a lump in her breast and sought treatment from Dr. Matthew Christopherson, who had performed previous gall bladder and hernia surgeries on her. He recommended that she have the mass removed, and at the same time have her hernias repaired again.
Ebeling underwent the procedure the following November, during which a mesh material was used which was to be secured using what is referred to as “spiral tacks”, applied with a surgical stapler.
The patient was supposed to only be hospitalized for 23 hours, during which time she was to be observed and then released. She remained hospitalized, however, complaining of increasing levels of pain. During this time, her blood pressure, urine output and oxygen levels also decreased. Sadly, according to the lawsuit, none of this information was reported to doctors by the nursing staff.
Two days after the surgery, Ebeling was found lying on the floor in her hospital bathroom, unconscious. She was sent to the intensive care unit where she was pronounced dead an hour later.
Ebeling’s autopsy revealed that her cause of death was fluid on the heart. It turns out the surgical tacks used to secure the mesh material used during her surgery had perforated her heart, two of which were buried deep in her heart muscle.
Jeannette Ebeling was just 30 years old when she died. Her mother has filed the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of herself and Ebeling’s young son.
Medical malpractice can result in so much more than just a simple injury to a patient. It can end lives and leave behind children and families who must somehow find a way to pick up the pieces and move on after such a tragedy. If you have lost a loved one due to a doctor’s negligence, contact a medical attorney immediately.
David Austin is a Medical Lawyer with Burke & Eisner, P.A.
The Law Office of Bowman & Associates, APC concentrates in Sacramento personal injury cases including car accidents, slip & fall accidents and more.
