Doctor Fails to Monitor Child's Electrolyes - Child Dies
Dyer couple awarded $3.5 million in damages
Jury finds doctor responsible for 2-year-old boy's death
Posted: Friday, July 2, 2004
CROWN POINT -- A Lake Superior Court jury awarded Pat and Cyndi Sawaska, of Dyer, $3.5 million Thursday for the wrongful death of their 2-year-old son more than four years ago.
Merrillville attorney Barry Rooth said the couple's son Kyle died May 19, 2000, after going into shock at St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center in Hammond. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit the same day for treatment of vomiting and dehydration.
Rooth said the pediatrician attending Kyle consulted with Dr. Gloria Buentello, a pediatric gastroenterologist, on his treatment. According to Rooth, Buentello testified during the trial that although she was concerned Kyle had received several enemas that could have caused an electrolyte disturbance, she failed to order new tests to determine if that was the case. Instead, she relied on tests from the previous day. Rooth argued if Buentello hadn't failed to order new tests, the problem with Kyle's potassium would have been diagnosed and easily corrected.
The jury found the Sawaskas suffered damages totaling $5 million and Buentello was 70 percent responsible for Kyle's death.
http://nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/article_5eaeb298-6a39-56fe-87e8-1ee5e6b6d3ef.html
