Matthew Ries, Admr., et. al. v. The Ohio State University Medical Center, Case No. 2010-10335

Bryan A. Huff v. The Ohio State University Medical Center, Case No. 2014-00468

The Ohio Court of Claims approved settlements totaling $3.45 million in separate lawsuits brought against The Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center.

Undiagnosed Condition Leads to Death

OSU agreed to pay the estate of Michael McNew $1.7 million.

McNew died in 2009 after he received treatment from a doctor at OSU Internal Medicine at Stone Ridge for extreme rectal pain. McNew called the doctor’s office multiple times during the course of several days complaining about bleeding and severe pain. He was advised to continue taking his pain medication. McNew was rushed to a Columbus hospital where he died of a cerebral hemorrhage from thrombocytopenia, a condition that can cause internal bleeding, which went undiagnosed until after his death.

In the lawsuit, filed with the Court of Claims in 2010, McNew’s family and estate administrator contended the care he received fell below the accepted standards when he was not properly diagnosed and blood tests were not ordered.

The agreement accepted by the court on Oct. 30 means OSU Medical Center will make one payment of $1.4 million to McNew’s wife and estate and periodic payments for four years totaling $300,000 to fund a structured settlement annuity for McNew’s three children.

Spinal Injury During Surgery

OSU also agreed to pay a $1.75 million settlement to Bryan A. Huff of Marietta who suffered from injuries after undergoing surgery for a spinal injury in February 2013.

According to the complaint filed with the Court of Claims, during the course of the surgery, air was detected in the tubing connected to his catheter. That allowed air to travel through the line and enter his circulatory system. He suffered an air embolism that resulted in multiple complications, including heart attacks, brain and spine strokes, vision problems, and numbness.

Huff claimed this led to permanent injuries that have left him with ongoing medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and inability to perform typical daily tasks.

As part of both settlements, OSU does not admit to any wrongdoing, and both plaintiffs agree not to make further claims against OSU.

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