A research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in October 2003 concluded that medical errors caused up to 98,000 deaths annually in the United States and should be considered a national epidemic. A more recent study suggests that the annual fatality rate may be twice as high. In any event, it is clear that preventable medical errors continue to be responsible for far too many injuries and deaths every year in the U.S. At Sheftall & Torres, we know that medical malpractice can have a devastating impact not only on the injured patient, but also his or her family members, as well. Our lawyers have over 40 years of experience in pursuing legal claims under the laws of Florida for injured patients and their family members in this challenging area of litigation.

SETTLEMENT: Unnecessary Spine Surgery/Product Liability. Scott Sheftall negotiated a total settlement of $1.26 million with a defendant doctor from St. Petersburg, Florida, and a medical device manufacturer for medically unnecessary spine surgery, which left the firm's client in Ocala, Florida with painful, permanent impairments. In a rare occurrence in a medical malpractice case, the trial court granted the firm's motion to allege a punitive damages claim against the defendant doctor for his conduct. The case settled before trial.

SETTLEMENT: Negligent Failure to Diagnose & Treat/Wrongful Death. Scott Sheftall reached a $700,000 settlement with a Clay County hospital and neurosurgeon for their negligent failure to diagnose and treat bacterial endocarditis and stroke.

SETTLEMENT: Unnecessary Spine Surgery/Product Liability. Scott Sheftall settled a medical malpractice case against a north Florida neurosurgeon and a product liability against a medical device manufacturer for $450,000.

SETTLEMENT: Negligent Failure to Diagnose & Treat/Wrongful Death. Brian Torres settled a medical malpractice claim for $450,000 against a hospital and doctors in Miami who had allowed a bed-ridden patient in his 70's to develop Grade 4 decubitus ulcers (severe bed sores) and septicemia, which ultimately led to a fatal heart attack.

SETTLEMENT: Negligent Failure to Diagnose & Treat/Wrongful Death. Scott Sheftall achieved a confidential settlement of $350,000 for the husband of an unemployed woman, age 68, who died in a Miami hospital. The damages for the surviving husband for pain and suffering were limited by the latest revisions to Florida's medical malpractice laws. The settlement was achieved within just a few months of the firm being engaged and before a pre-suit notice of intent to sue had to be served on the defendants.

SETTLEMENT: Laparotomy Pad Left in Client's Abdomen After Surgery. Scott Sheftall settled a case against a Dade County surgeon for $250,000. The surgeon had left a laparotomy pad in the abdomen of Mr. Sheftall's client, and then tried to deny and cover up his mistake.