Wicker Smith Receives Successful Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Trial
ORLANDO – August 30, 2013 – Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy and Ford P.A. is pleased to announce that Managing Partner, Richards H. Ford, received a successful defense verdict after a five week long medical malpractice wrongful death trial in the Thillet v. Layish case.
The case was a wrongful death action stemming from alleged malpractice by pulmonologist, Dr. Daniel Layish and cardiologists, Dr. Raviprasad Subraya and Dr. Karan Reddy. At trial, Dr. Layish was represented by Richards H. Ford. Dr. Subraya and Dr. Reddy were represented by Tom Dukes and Ruth Osborne of McEwan Martinez and Dukes, P.A. Mr. Thillet, a 41 year old firefighter, presented to the Emergency Department of Florida Hospital-Apopka on January 15, 2007 with fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. He was discharged home but returned on January 16, 2007, and was admitted and immediately transferred to the ICU at Winter Park Memorial Hospital where he came under the care of Drs. Subraya, Reddy and Layish. Mr. Thillet was intubated on January 17, 2007 after developing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis. Defendants suspected Mr. Thillet had acute bacterial endocarditis. An attempt was made to perform a trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) but it was not possible to complete the study due to the patient’s health condition. On January 30, 2007, Mr. Thillet coded and died. An autopsy listed the cause of death as acute bacterial endocarditis with sepsis and multi-organ failure. Plaintiff alleged the Defendants failed to complete the TEE which would have provided a definitive diagnosis of endocarditis and prompted a surgery consult. Mr. Thillet never received life-saving valve surgery to remove the endocarditis, which allegedly caused his condition to worsen and resulted in his death. Defendants denied these allegations.
About Wicker Smith
Founded in 1952, Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford P.A., is a full-service trial firm deeply experienced in handling significant and complex litigation for a broad variety of clients, ranging from multinational corporations to individuals. With nearly 150 attorneys, Wicker Smith services its clients through a network of seven locations throughout Florida in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Naples and Jacksonville. Wicker Smith is a member of the USLAW NETWORK, an alliance of more than 60 AV-rated, independent law firms and over 4,000 attorneys across the U.S. and Mexico. For more information, visit www.wickersmith.com.
