The family of renowned actress and comedian Joan Rivers has finally settled a long-standing medical malpractice suit related to the star’s death in 2014. As some Delaware fans are probably already aware, the family has long believed Rivers suffered brain injuries while under medical care. The suit was filed last year with the Supreme Court, and has just now been settled for an undisclosed amount.
According to the filing, the comedian’s official cause of death was anoxic encephalopathy, a form of brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. The family attests this lack of oxygen was the result of an endoscopy that was mishandled by attending physicians. The filing states that an anesthesiologist on site during the endoscopy expressed concern about the procedure’s effects on Rivers’ breathing, but was subsequently ignored.
Rivers’ death was classified by authorities as a “therapeutic complication” which dismisses the suggestion of negligence. However, the comedian’s family were unsatisfied with this designation and sought legal counsel in the death of their family member. While the exact amount settled upon by the defendant and the complainant remains confidential, Rivers’ daughter Melissa has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case.
brain injuries are not always fatal, as in the tragic case of Joan Rivers, but even when they are not, Delaware residents understand they can have long-term implications for the patient. This is why it is so important for individuals who believe they have been victims of medical malpractice to seek out informed counsel. In this way, medical professionals continue to be held to a high standard and those who suffer their mistakes are justifiably compensated.
Source: CBS News, “Joan Rivers’ family settles medical malpractice lawsuit“, May 12, 2016
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