MEDIA – A New Jersey woman has launched a medical malpractice lawsuit against a number of Delaware County healthcare entities and professionals, for their alleged negligence which caused her late husband to die of a pulmonary embolism.
Sharon B. Lee, Administratrix of the Estate of Thomas F. Lee, Jr. of Swedesboro, N.J. filed suit in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 14 versus Mukesh A. Patel, M.D. of Prospect Park, Prospect CCMC, LLC of Ridley Park, Prospect Health Access Network, Inc. and Prospect Crozer, LLC (c/o CT Corporation), of Harrisburg.
“On or about June 19, 2020, Mr. Lee was transferred from Penn Medicine to Taylor Rehabilitation Hospital for intensive rehab treatment after undergoing two surgeries on his neck. Patrick Murphy, D.O., was the attending physician in the rehabilitation unit at Taylor Rehabilitation Hospital. On or about June 20, 2020, Mukesh Patel, M.D., performed an internal medicine consult for Mr. Lee,” the suit says.
“On June 23, 2020, the physical therapist documented that Mr. Lee exhibited shortness of breath during his treatment that day, however, upon information and belief, the therapist did not communicate this finding to any physician. On June 23, 2020, in the morning, Lacey O’Hara, PA-C from cardiology, documented that Mr. Lee had sinus tachycardia likely secondary to pain. On June 24, 2020, in the morning, it was again documented that Mr. Lee was reporting shortness of breath. On June 24, 2020, Lacey O’Hara, PA-C documented that Mr. Lee had sinus tachycardia -multifactorial and to check ECHO and a pulmonary VQ scan.”
According to the complaint, Mr. Lee underwent an ECHO which revealed that the “right atrium was mildly dilated, the right ventricular systolic function was mildly reduced, the right ventricle size was mildly enlarged, there was mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation and mild pulmonic valvular regurgitation and there was mild pulmonary hypertension.”
On June 24, 2020, Mr. Lee also underwent a pulmonary VQ scan which revealed a high probability of pulmonary embolism, leading his radiologist to contact Dr. Murphy about the nature of the test results – who then, in turn, notified Dr. Patel, who has admitting privileges at Taylor Hospital.
“Dr. Patel advised Dr. Murphy that he would contact the pharmacy for the correct dose of Xarelto for Mr. Lee. Xarelto is used to treat and prevent blood clots. Additionally, Mr. Lee’s Heparin was placed on hold and Dr. Lander, a pulmonary specialist, was consulted. On June 24, 2020, at or about 5:30 p.m., Dr. Murphy documented that he spoke with Dr. Lander and then at or about 6 p.m., Dr. Murphy sent a request for consult to Dr. Lander,” the suit states.
“On June 25, 2020, at or about 3 a.m., the Rapid Response Team was called to Mr. Lee’s bedside. On June 25, 2020, at or about 4 a.m., Mr. Lee succumbed to his pulmonary embolism and could not be resuscitated. Mr. Lee was pronounced dead on June 25, 2020, at 5:11 a.m. The defendants’ negligence increased the risk of harm that Mr. Lee would suffer a pulmonary embolism associated with hemodynamic compromise, causing his death.”
For multiple counts of negligence, survival and wrongful death, the plaintiff is seeking damages, jointly and severally, for compensatory damages in excess of the arbitration limits in effect in Delaware County at the time this cause of action was commenced.
The plaintiff is represented by Steven G. Wigrizer, Mary T. Gidaro and Jason S. Weiss of Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, in Philadelphia.
The defendants have not yet secured legal counsel.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case CV-2022-000281
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com