According to the Institute of Medicine, approximately 1.5 million patients are the victim of some sort of medical mistake. The results lead to an estimated 98,000 deaths a year.
If you thought only the “common” people are victims of this, think again. Below, we have gathered the ten scariest celebrity malpractice cases. They include some of the most famous celebrities and the most heart-breaking stories.
1. Michael Jackson Dies From Drug Poisoning : The world mourned the loss of one of its most noted entertainers in 2009. The cause of death? A myriad of drugs including Propofol, a sedative used during general surgery, and two other related drugs were found in Michael’s system even though he didn’t need them. Because he was under the care of a physician, the case has gone beyond malpractice. The physician who oversaw Michael will now be charged with manslaughter.
2. James Woods’ Brother Dies In Hospital : Forty nine year old Michael Woods went to the hospital in the afternoon in 2006 with a sore throat and vomiting. Three hours later he suffered a heart attack and died. Instead of being put on a heart monitor as ordered after an electrocardiogram showed an abnormal heartbeat, he was taken to x-ray and then left on a gurney in a hallway where he experienced his fatal heart attack. Three years later James Woods and family were awarded 1.25 million to create the Michael J. Woods Institute at Kent Hospital.
3. Dennis Quaid’s Newborns Given Accidental Overdose : In one of the scariest malpractice cases involving celebrities, it was the children who were harmed. In November of 2007, Dennis and his wife Kimberly gave birth to two healthy twins. The joy soon turned to horror when the babies accidentally received a massive overdose of a blood thinning drug. In an insane error where the comma was placed three digits over, the twins received 10,000 units of Heparin instead of ten. This error happened when the pharmacist restocked the different vials in the wrong place and the staff didn’t catch it. The Quaids eventually settled with the hospital for a reported $750,000.
4. John Ritter Dies of Aortic Dissection : He continues to make us laugh in reruns of “Three’s Company” and many other shows and films. That is why it was such a tragedy when he died in 2003 from a tear in his aorta, also known as an aortic dissection. His lawyers alleged that a denied chest x-ray two years before would have led to the correct diagnosis. Instead he has treated incorrectly for a heart attack. The family ended up settling in 2008.
5.Kanye West’s Mother Dies From Surgery : In 2007, Donda West died at age 58 from complications due to a tummy tuck and breast reduction. The doctor who operated on her suspected that the cause of death could have been a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or massive vomiting. The scary part is that the doctor had two malpractice suits filed against him that ended in payouts and was arrested twice for driving under the influence, according to medical board records.
6.Freddie Prinze Commits Suicided : The only mental health malpractice suit to make the list, this one involved Freddie Prinze, Sr. He starred in the popular television series “Chico and the Man” in the seventies. After several problems with drugs, he sought the help of a psychiatrist. Believing that the Qualludes prescribed helped cause the suicide, a court settlement was reached in the amount of one million dollars for his surviving family.
7. Throat Operation Ends Julie Andrews’ Singing Career : With the lyrics “the hills are alive,” Julie forever changed the way we see musicals on the screen. In addition to “The Sound of Music,” she sang in such classic works as “Victor/ Victoria.” and “Mary Poppins,” for which she won an Oscar in 1964. In 1997, she had throat surgery to correct voice problems. However, the result left her with hoarseness and permanent vocal damage. She ended up settling in a New York court with the hospital.
8. Dana Carvey Undergoes Botched Bypass Surgery : We all know him as the SNL favorite who brought us Garth from “Wayne’s World” and did an unforgettable George Bush 41. However, he wasn’t smiling in 1998 when he underwent a double bypass operation. When the chest pains continued with no improvement, Carvey again returned to the hospital. After undergoing an angiogram, it was discovered that the wrong artery had been bypassed. Luckily, he ended up having the correct surgery and settling his 7.5 million dollar case out of court.
9. Ed McMahon Leaves Hospital With Broken Neck : He entertained for decades at the side of the legendary Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.” However, in 2008 the now deceased Ed McMahon went to the hospital after a fall and was discharged without x-ray. Ed would later allege he had suffered a broken neck and two subsequent botched spine operations. He would later go onto to settle with the hospital for an undisclosed amount.
10. DJ AM Dies of Drug Overdose : After surviving a brutal plane crash with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker that left others dead, DJ AM would later go onto die of a drug overdose. His mother then amended a wrongful death suit against the plane company. She alleges that as a result of medication he received at a hospital, he again became addicted to drugs. Barker settled separately with the plane company.
With healthcare and TORT reform at front stage, it is unlikely that the above ten scariest medical malpractice cases are will be the last. One of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim yourself is to get educated. Know which drugs you are taking, how much, when, and why you are taking them. Be sure and check the containers yourself. If feeling ill and going to the hospital, have a family member or loved one join you to make sure orders are carried out quickly and correctly. If you have any other concerns about scary malpractice cases, consult your physician for other tips to avoid them.
