Woman Awarded $3 Million in Malpractice Action for Misdiagnosis

Amy Rothschild

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Lynn and James Flaherty of Bethel Park, Pittsburgh couple won a $3 million malpractice lawsuit against two doctors and a physician's assistant after the woman was misdiagnosed as having a sinus infection. Mrs. Flaherty visited the doctors' office in 2001 complaining of headaches and nasal discharge. The doctors were not available. The physician's assistant recommended additional testing and prescribed steroids. The steroids masked the real condition which was a brain abcess.

At trial, expert witnesses testified that without an antibiotic, the steroids masked the problem and excacerbated it . Mrs. Flaherty still is not able to regulate her emotions and has difficulty with complex cognitive function.

The doctors and physician's assistant plan to appeal the damage award.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Medical Malpractice and Negligent Care.