Jury Rules In Favor Of Doctor In Wrongful Death Suit

Alzheimer's Patient Deemed Fit To Drive Before Fatal Car Accident In Orange County

In a recent Orange County personal injury case, a jury decided not to hold a doctor responsible for allowing a driver to get behind the wheel before the woman crashed her vehicle, slaying her elderly passenger. After only a half hour of deliberation, the jury chose to give the medical expert the benefit of the doubt.

According to court documents filed in connection with the case, California is one of several states that require medical personnel to report patients whose medical conditions might make them unable to drive safely. If a patient is a potential road hazard, the law states, then the doctor must inform authorities of the risk and have the person's license revoked.

The family of the victim sued the doctor in the aftermath of the accident, claiming that he should known the patient would be unfit to drive. However, a defense attorney representing the defendant argued that, while advanced Alzheimer's is clearly grounds for reporting, the patient was still in the early stages of dementia and was necessarily a danger.

Long-Time Partner of Patient Slain In Tragic Automobile Collision

The events of the evening of the crash were gone over in detail during the trial. According to the reports, the driver was an 85-year old woman who was receiving treatment for the early stages of dementia in 2010. She was accompanied in the car by a 90-year old man, with whom authorities said she had been in a long-term relationship.

The accident occurred when the woman turned the couple's Toyota into the wrong lane, causing a collision with an oncoming Mercedes. Although she survived the accident, her partner was hospitalized and eventually succumbed to his injuries several weeks later.

The jury was reportedly swayed by the argument that the woman was only just beginning to exhibit Alzheimer symptoms. She had been able to successfully hide the memory loss from her family, which the defense argued showed she was competent enough to not be an obvious driving hazard. The jury agreed, and acquitted the doctor of wrongful death charges.

Seek The Aid Of An Experienced Legal Professional

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, the pain you feel is beyond explanation. In addition to the personal tragedy you have suffered, you are also likely besieged by medical bills and funeral expenses that must be dealt with, complicating the grieving process and preventing you from moving on with your life. At Bruce C. Bridgman's Eagle Law Firm, our legal team is dedicated to providing you compassionate, delicate service. We understand the difficulty of your situation, and we are pledged to help you fight for justice and seek maximum compensation for the trauma you have suffered. Do not let the harmful deeds of your tormentor go unpunished!