Plaintiff (54) was a married and employed female who was about to undergo plastic surgery when she suffered a cardiac event resulting in permanent neurological deficits. It was discovered that she had Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (stress-induced cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome”) which is a type of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in which there is a sudden temporary weakening of the muscular portion of the heart. Although the plaintiff was expertly resuscitated, she unfortunately suffered hypoxia during the efforts. Aggressive discovery ultimately revealed that plaintiff had failed to disclose prior plastic surgery and complaints of chest pain. Compounding factors involving the various defendants added to the complexity of the litigation. Shortly before trial, Ms. Haskins resolved the matter on behalf of her client within his policy limits.
May 1, 2018