$350,000 Awarded to Elderly Woman in Medical Malpractice Case

August 2010 Trial.  In 2005, 75 year old Ms. Herrerra went to Palm Springs Hospital for a routine hip procedure. Somehow, she woke up with a burn down the side of her body. The hospital contended that no burn ocurred, and that she suffered a pressure sore due to fragile skin. At trial, we proved that the burn resulted from the use of a heated IV bag to support Ms. H during the procedure — an improper device to use for support. The combination of heat, pressure, and time caused her skin to slowly cook during the operation. The hospital offered $25k before trial. The jury awarded $350,000 — $100,000 more than what P&D had asked for during closing argument.