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  4.  — K. Justin Hutton and Elizabeth Hutton obtain defense verdict in medical malpractice case

K. Justin Hutton and Elizabeth Hutton obtain defense verdict in medical malpractice case

On Behalf of | Mar 15, 2022 | General News

DRI members, K. Justin Hutton and Elizabeth Hutton, of the East Tennessee firm of Herndon, Coleman, Brading & McKee, LLP obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a prominent Pediatric Pulmonologist and her employer in the Circuit Court of Washington County, Tennessee in August of 2021. The Plaintiff alleged that the Pediatric Pulmonologist failed to properly diagnose and treat a six (6) month old child with pre-existing heart conditions, who presented to the Pediatric Pulmonologist’s office with complaints of respiratory distress. Shortly after being discharged from the doctor’s office the child presented to the Emergency Department in respiratory distress, and despite heroic treatments she continued to deteriorate and ultimately passed away the following day. The defense alleged that the physician’s diagnoses and treatment of the child was appropriate with the information she had available to her at that time, but the child ultimately succumbed to a rare, and in this case, fatal infection caused by Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) that was undiagnosed at that time.

There were no settlement negotiations prior to trial. The Plaintiff asserted at trial that the child’s mother was entitled to damages in the range of $1.6 million to $2.7 million for lost earning capacity for the child, and additional monies for pain and suffering and loss of consortium.

After seven days of trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the defense.

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