Medical malpractice case against cardiologist and his practice results in $6.46M payment for patient’s family
A jury in Volusia County, Florida, has awarded $6.46 million to the family of a deceased heart failure patient after they determined her cardiologist, and his practice, had been negligent.
The patient, 39-year-old Laura Staib, was first treated by cardiologist Roy Venzon, MD, in February 2016 at Florida Hospital DeLand, the facility now known as AdventHealth DeLand. Staib was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, pneumonia and sepsis at that time—and she was soon transferred to a care facility, where she died after four days of treatment.
The lawsuit, filed against both Venzon and Daytona Heart Group, alleged that more could have been done to identify the reason behind Staib’s symptoms. Other healthcare providers were originally included in the lawsuit as well, but they were later removed.
Attorney Richard Schwamm, who helped represent Staib’s family in the case, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that she appeared to be suffering from myocarditis, but a diagnosis was never made.
Thomas E. Dukes III, an attorney representing Venzon and Daytona Heart Group, told the same publication that his clients were appealing the lawsuit.
“There was nothing [Venzon] could have done to prevent it,” Dukes said. “She died five days after he last saw her in a different facility where he doesn't practice after 10 doctor visits by other doctors.”
Dukes also countered the claims made by Staib’s legal team, noting that she “died of an overwhelming lung infection” and not a heart issue. He also said that it was never proven she presented with myocarditis.
According to a press release from Haliczer, Pettis & Schwamm, the law firm representing Staib’s family, the $6.46 million award represents the largest amount given in a wrongful death case in the county’s history.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.