A family in Ashland County left their child with permanent brain damage after a jury ordered the Duluth-based medical system to pay for a staff member’s failure to diagnose a severe infection.
Last week, a Bayfield County jury found Duluth-based Essentia Health 100% responsible for an employee’s failure to treat Johnny Galligan, who was just eight days old in 2013. Physician Andrew Snyder et al for malpractice in 2020.
According to court documents, the family alleged that Dr. Snyder failed to promptly diagnose and treat a child with bacterial meningitis in February 2013. A hospital in Duluth when he became seriously ill. It wasn’t until the child was taken to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis that staff expressed concern that Johnny had meningitis.
Still, the jury did not admit that Snyder failed to care for and treat Johnny. According to court documents, doctors had examined Johnny after the infant had become “very noisy and irritable” the night before, because they suspected the infant was eating too much. , sent the child home and arranged for the county nurse to stop by.
Garrett Gondick, a family attorney with South Carolina Gondick Law, said county nurses checked up on Johnny and tried to relay information to doctors about the infant’s deteriorating condition.
“Unfortunately, the fact is that the child was already in big trouble and the infection had really spread and grown up, and it didn’t come to the attention of doctors until very late in the day.” By the time it was delivered, it was too late to reverse the course of the disease, and I believe the jury concluded that it was the Essentia staff’s fault for not communicating these facts.”
A jury awarded Steve and Alina Garrigan approximately $13.4 million for their son’s past and future medical expenses and loss of social and companionship. Johnny Garrigan will receive $5.5 million for pain and suffering, future loss of income, and medical expenses, based on the jury’s decision.
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Mr Gondik said the family was happy with the jury’s verdict. thinking.
“This kid is actually doing very well under the circumstances, which is a blessing,” Gondik said. “It’s all thanks to the care and attention the family gives to their son.”
Johnny, now 10, has an irreversible brain injury that prevents him from walking and uses a wheelchair, Gondick said. A family on the Ashland farm has modified tractors and other vehicles for Johnny to ride with. Gondik, he added, loves to swim and he enjoys a quality life with his mom, dad and sisters.
A spokeswoman for Essentia Health said in a statement that it was disappointed with the jury’s decision and hinted at the possibility of future litigation.
Essentia spokeswoman Tony Matt said, “We recognize that cases like this are extremely difficult for everyone involved, so we sympathize with this family and the care team.” We are disappointed with this ruling as it supports the care provided in 2019. We are exploring options regarding next steps and will continue to work with the patients and communities we are privileged to serve. We remain committed to providing high quality care to society.”
Gondik said the case was likely not over yet. He noted that Essentia has the right to appeal jury verdicts, and said such decisions are usually challenged. In the meantime, Gondik said his family will continue to provide excellent care for his son.