In September 2008, young Brooklyn mother Tabitha Mullings went to Brooklyn Hospital Emergency Center in severe pain. Diagnosed with kidney stones, Ms. Mullings was released that day with a prescription for painkillers.
The following day, in extreme pain, Ms. Mullings phoned 911 twice but NYC medics did not transport her to the hospital on either occasion. Later that day, Ms. Mullings was rushed back to the emergency room by her fiancé, where she fell into a coma.
Ms. Mullings had developed a life-threatening sepsis infection, requiring amputation of both feet and both hands due to gangrene. She also lost sight in one eye.
Septicemia or sepsis, is a severe, life-threatening infection. According to the Division of Vital Statistics, septicemia is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports sepsis patients are eight times more likely to die than alternatively diagnosed patients.
On March 8th of this year, amid allegations of negligence and medical malpractice, New York City 8.5 million and Brooklyn Hospital Center agreed 9.4 million to pay Ms. Mullings to total $17.9 million to end the three-year legal action.
Representing Ms. Mullings, Rubenstein and Rynecki partner Sanford Rubenstein remarked, this is a fair and reasonable resolution of this matter. Justice has been done. This settlement demonstrates that our legal system works for victims and should not be tampered with.
Money cannot restore Ms. Mullings to a normal life – but it provides economic security for the future she faces and the care she requires.
