Sutherland Family Receives $250,000 Following Untimely Death of Mother Following Mismanagement of Heart Condition
- 4 March 2021
- Keegan Behrens
Case Overview
- This matter concerns the untimely death of a lady who attended a hospital with a recent history of angina, in 2018.
- Arrangements were made for her to undergo Coronary Bypass surgery, which was performed incorrectly.
- Her health deteriorated following the procedure, which led to her death several days later.
This matter concerns the untimely death of a lady who attended a hospital with a recent history of angina, in 2018. Upon admission, a coronary angiogram was performed which showed significant triple vessel disease, a significant disease with 80% obstruction of the left anterior descending artery, 70% stenoses in the marginal circumflex branches, and 95% proximal stenosis in the right coronary artery and reduced contractility of the inferior wall in the distribution of the artery. Also, all vessels were described as of large calibre.
Following the scan, this lady was transferred to the Defendant Hospital that very evening. The Hospital was aware of this lady’s co-morbidities, including polymyalgia which was being treated with cortisone, hypertension, questionable mild renal impairment, and some non-obstructive carotid artery plaque. Arrangements were made for her to undergo Coronary Bypass surgery. This was, unfortunately, performed incorrectly. Her health deteriorated following the procedure which was also inadequately monitored and treated, and passed away several days later from multiple organ failures.
The lady’s husband and daughters were extremely distraught by what had occurred, and they consulted Gerard Malouf & Partners seeking assistance and closure for the terrible incident that had befallen their dear wife and mother.
Our Approach
This matter was managed by Mr. Keegan Behrens, an expert medical negligence solicitor at the firm. Mr. Behrens sought an expert opinion from an eminent and experienced cardiologist, who opined that the strategy employed by the operating surgeon, as well as the post-operative management was inappropriate. Had the correct procedures been followed, the deceased likely would have survived. The family was also assessed by a psychiatrist, who provided detailed individual reports outlining how the incident had impacted their psychiatric health and provided recommendations for their future care and therapy.
The matters proceeded to mediation, where Mr. Behrens and an expert barrister negotiated a claim for medical negligence.
The Result
Despite a difficult and technical medical negligence case a sum of $250,000 was negotiated for the family.

Explore
More Case Summaries
Medical negligence resulting in cerebral palsy: What to do
Cerebral palsy is often caused by accidents during live childbirth and could be linked to medical malpractice. The disorder could come from two types of
Insurers to pay for the contractor’s surgery on his right knee.
Case Overview Our client is a self-employed contractor who suffered an injury to his right knee on-site and received compensation. A few years later, he
Gas heater explosion in a pub leaves the client with facial burns
Case Overview Our client was a young man who went to meet his mates at a pub in winter. They were in the outdoor area
Man Receives $425,000 in Compensation Following Injury to His Right Leg
Case Overview Our client attended a hospital complaining of back pain and right leg symptoms but was misdiagnosed and discharged home. Later he crashed his
Rental Inspection Leaves Client with Fractures and Torn Muscles
Case Overview Our client had recently moved into a rented property where she fell over a 70cm gap leading to tears to her ligamentous muscles
Man deemed not completely at fault despite riding an illegally motorised bicycle
Case Overview Our client was involved in a motor vehicle accident riding an unregistered bicycle, was not wearing a helmet, and did not hold a