$3.7M Verdict~ Med Malpractice ~ Death~ Misssed Fungal Condition

[Guest guest]

" Foremost, Bellin Health wishes to express our empathy to the Santos

family. It is difficult any time you lose a family member. "

Sounds more like they expressed their apathy! Read below.

_http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091003/GPG03/910030580/1247_

(http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091003/GPG03/910030580/1247)

Gustavo Espinal-Santos died Jan. 1, 2004, after contracting blastomycosis,

a fungal infection often transmitted through water or soil.

Sickel of Hinkfuss Sickel Petitjean & Wieting said Espinal-Santos

twice visited the Bellin Family Medical Center in Bonduel in December 2003

complaining of illness. Sickel said Espinal-Santos was seen by physician

assistants who determined he had pneumonia. He said they failed to run basic

diagnostic tests, specifically X-rays.

He was admitted to St. Hospital on Dec. 23, 2003, and diagnosed

with blastomycosis, but too late to save his life, Sickel said.

After a four-day trial and about eight hours of deliberation, the jury

found Bellin _Health_

(http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091003/GPG03/910030580/1247#)

System and Dr. Peri Aldrich, who was responsible for

overseeing the physician assistants, were negligent.

Sickel said the award will be reduced because of award caps in Wisconsin

law.

Espinal-Santos' survivors include his wife, Zavala Mc, and

daughters Espinal-Zavala, 10, and Sophia Espinal, 5.

Bellin Health issued a statement Friday on the verdict.

" Foremost, Bellin Health wishes to express our empathy to the Santos

family. It is difficult any time you lose a family member. Bellin Health is

obviously disappointed with the verdict and believes the care provided was

appropriate and followed established medical protocols. We are now determining

what, if any, other action will be taken in this matter. Out of respect for

the privacy of the family, we will have no further public comment. "

Sharon Noonan Kramer