As a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer, I often speak with families devastated by sudden, preventable medical tragedies. A recent $7.25 million verdict out of Howard County, Maryland, is a sobering reminder of what can happen when doctors stray from the standard of care—especially in managing life-threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism.
Zion Lewis, just 23 years old, had been on blood thinners for a year and a half following diagnosis of bilateral pulmonary emboli. His recovery was progressing—until a physician abruptly discontinued his anticoagulation therapy and replaced it with baby aspirin, a decision that ran contrary to established medical guidelines.
Just weeks after the change in medication, Zion suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism.
The jury found this treatment change to be a clear violation of the standard of care and awarded his family $7.25 million in damages, one of the largest malpractice verdicts in that county’s history.
From the perspective of a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney, this case illustrates a textbook example of negligent care. Guidelines from both the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) emphasize that patients at high risk for thromboembolism should remain on therapeutic doses of anticoagulants unless there’s a compelling clinical reason to stop.
In Lewis’s case, there was no documented justification for discontinuing the blood thinners. Baby aspirin—often used for minor cardiovascular prevention—is not a substitute for full anticoagulation in patients with a history of thromboembolic events.
When litigating a personal injury claim involving medical negligence, a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney must establish four key legal elements:
The provider owed a duty to follow accepted medical standards—especially in managing high-risk patients like Lewis.
Discontinuing a necessary blood thinner without clinical justification constitutes a clear breach of that duty.
The plaintiff’s legal team must prove that the embolism—and resulting death—was directly caused by stopping the anticoagulant therapy.
In this case, the damages were profound: the wrongful death of a young man, loss of future earnings, and medical expenses.
A qualified Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer works closely with medical experts, reviews clinical guidelines, and uses detailed medical records to draw a direct line between the negligent act and the harm caused.
Patients and families here must be aware of their rights. Medical negligence can happen anywhere. When it does, an experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer can help you uncover the truth, pursue compensation, and most importantly—hold healthcare providers accountable.
If you’ve lost someone due to a healthcare provider’s reckless or negligent decision—such as improperly stopping a critical medication—you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney at the Wieand Law Firm today for a free consultation.
