Often when one thinks about medical malpractice actions, it is assumed the source of the action occurred in a setting directly related to a medical provider such as a doctor's office or hospital. While it is true that these settings are often the home to negligent acts, actions or lack of actions that constitute medical malpractice can occur anywhere a medical professional is providing care. As a woman from Lehighton learned firsthand, this includes one's own home.

Earlier this month a Pennsylvania jury awarded the woman $23.12 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit she filed after both of her legs and a finger were amputated as a result of an infection she contracted while being treated by a home-care nurse in 2008. The award is one of the highest to be handed down in Lehigh County.

The root of the medical malpractice lawsuit arose while the 55-year-old woman was being treated for complications related to Crohn's disease by a St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network nurse. While treating the woman, the home-care nurse apparently failed to report that the woman's catheter was infected with bacteria. The woman's attorney argued at trial that the bacteria led to an infection that almost killed the woman. The lawsuit named the home-care nurse as well as the nurse's employer, St. Luke's Miners Memorial Home Care as defendants.

Included in the $23 million jury verdict award are damages to cover the injured woman's lost earnings and medical expenses. It also provides pain and suffering damages.

Source: Pocono Record, "Jury awards Lehighton woman $23 million," Riley Yates, Sept. 18, 2011