Veteran's family awarded $536,000
GULFPORT - A federal judge has ordered the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Biloxi to pay nearly $536,000 to the family of a veteran who died of an aneurysm.
The wrongful death verdict awards the money to Picayune resident Sarah Harrison, the widow of Thomas "Buddy" Harrison.
Harrison, 64, died Aug. 7, 1999, less than three months after an X-ray showed he had a 9-centimeter aneurysm and while he was waiting to have surgery scheduled.
U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon found the VA negligent following a two-day trial that ended Friday. The VA lost several medical documents, failed to follow procedures on forwarding medical reports and failed to expedite a CT scan that could have resulted in immediate surgery and possibly saved Harrison's life, the judge said.
"There is simply no excuse for a hospital of the size and sophistication of the VA to lose important patient documents," Fallon wrote. "This case exemplifies how poor record-keeping can negatively impact the quality of care received by patients and the medical outcome experienced by patients."
When an aneurysm expands to more than 5.5 centimeters, the chance of rupture increases and can result in death if surgery isn't performed, several doctors testified.
James R. Reeves Jr., the attorney for Harrison's wife, said the VA and its physicians knew of the aneurysm as early as May 26, 1999, and had plenty of time to schedule surgery and save his life.
"We hope this verdict will ensure that this does not happen to another veteran," said Reeves. "Buddy Harrison and others who have served their country deserve better."
Chris Alexander, VA spokesman, said the health care system doesn't discuss patient care issues in respect for patient privacy and patient rights.
The aneurysm showed up while Harrison, a retired member of the U.S. Marine Corps, was being evaluated in May 1999 to determine eligibility for veterans' disability benefits for a prior back injury.
An X-ray indicated an aneurysm, but the VA Compensation and Pension Office failed to forward that report or other transcribed reports to the doctor in charge of the evaluation, according to testimony.
The VA's record-keeping division lost documents from Harrison's emergency room visit on July 6, 1999, and a doctor who saw Harrison the next day declined to expedite another CT scan, testifying that VA patients routinely waited about 60 days for such tests because of a high request for them.
A CT scan on July 21, 1999, confirmed the aneurysm, and the surgical department on Aug. 3 set a consultation for Harrison for Aug. 11, 1999, records show.
Harrison's aneurysm ruptured on Aug. 6 of that year. He underwent emergency surgery at Crosby Memorial Hospital in Picayune, but the surgery had to be aborted and Harrison died.
The judgment includes $100,000 to Harrison's wife for "pain, suffering and mental anguish" her husband suffered "as a result of the VA's negligence until the time of his death."