The patient was a self-sufficient, healthy, and energetic widow who fainted after giving a lecture at a church conference. An ambulance was called to the scene and a breathing tube was placed. At the hospital, an x-ray was taken to verify tube placement, which revealed that the tube was pushed into the right mainstem bronchus. The patient began to show signs of decreasing oxygenation and she began to swell. The doctor misread the x-ray and did not adjust the breathing tube. The patient was being transported to another facility when she died. The patient was grossly disfigured due to her tissues being overinflated.
Outcome:
A settlement was reached during discovery. The terms of the settlement are protected by a confidentiality agreement.
