From Indiatimes · TOI World Desk · · 3m
Minnesota Man Wins $84 Million Malpractice Verdict
Minnesota man's family secures $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services after alleged inadequate heart care.
In brief
Minnesota man's family secures $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services after alleged inadequate heart care. A Minnesota man's family won an $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services after a clinician failed to address his chest pain during in-person and virtual…
Verdict Outcome
A Hennepin County jury issued an $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services on 29 September for the family of a 53-year-old man who died from heart attack complications after allegedly receiving an inadequate…
Patient Background
Reece Devlin, 53, moved to Minneapolis from Australia and spent years as a partner at Ernst & Young.
First Consultation
In October 2022, he went to an M Health Fairview Uptown clinic with chest pain, according to court records.
Initial Evaluation
A Fairview clinician ordered an electrocardiogram to check the electrical activity of Devlin’s heart.
Record Discrepancy
The practitioner stated that Devlin’s Mayo Clinic executive physical records had also been reviewed at the time.
Computer Records Contradiction
Brandon Thompson, the attorney who represented Reece Devlin’s wife and two children in the medical malpractice lawsuit against Fairview Health Services, argued that computer records contradicted this claim.
Virtual Appointment Issue
The attorney also argued that computer records contradicted the clinician’s claim that he had asked Devlin about his chest pain during a January 2:03 virtual follow-up appointment.
Death Timeline
Devlin died on 29 January 2023 while working out in his basement, less than a week after the virtual consultation.
Family Claim
The family alleged that the physician assistant did not sufficiently investigate the complaint or review relevant prior records.
Key Argument
They also said he did not tell Devlin that his chest pain could signal a serious heart problem.
Cardiac Evaluation Shortfall
The family argued that the cardiac evaluation fell short of what his symptoms required.
Legal Outcome
The week-long trial ended with a Hennepin County jury awarding them $84 million against Fairview Health Services this autumn.
Attorney Statement
‘This is a stark reminder of the importance of being thorough, even when you’re busy, even when it’s a virtual visit,’ Brandon Thompson told The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Family Statement
‘While nothing will ever undo the loss our family has suffered, we take comfort in the fact that we were able to tell our story, and the jury heard it loud and clear,’ Devlin’s wife…
Fairview Response
Fairview argued that it had conducted a thorough examination as required and expressed sympathy for the family.
Verdict Status
The verdict is not final; a judge can order a remittitur to reduce the award or Fairview can appeal.
The bottom line
A Minnesota man's family won an $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services after a clinician failed to address his chest pain during in-person and virtual appointments.
