Emerson Straw Resolves Wrongful Death Claim Against Pinellas County Hospital
Emerson Straw has obtained a six-figure pre-litigation settlement on behalf of a Pinellas County widow pursuing a claim under the Florida Wrongful Death Act. Her husband, a registered quadriplegic designated for emergency evacuation assistance, was transported to a local hospital ahead of an approaching hurricane. During his admission, the hospital failed to meet the standard of care in managing his non-healing pressure ulcers, which significantly worsened, and did not properly investigate or treat a suspected urinary tract infection. He was then improperly discharged without adequate follow-up, deteriorated further, and ultimately passed away. The settlement reflects the hospital’s failure to appropriately manage his wounds and timely identify and treat the UTI. These are the failures that led to severe wound infections, sepsis, and his preventable death.