Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Hansabel Patel, 74, was hospitalized and diagnosed as having uncontrolled diabetes and an electrolyte imbalance. While hospitalized, her hemoglobin dropped. Gastroenterologist Fadi Deeb diagnosed a duodenal ulcer and prescribed proton pump inhibitors. Patel suffered two large bleeds, however, and she was transferred to the facility’s ICU. After a third massive bleed, Deeb performed surgery, which was unsuccessful in stopping Patel’s bleeding. Before a scheduled embolization by an interventional radiologist, Patel vomited and aspirated blood. After the embolization, she was placed on a ventilator for five weeks until her family removed her from life support. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Patel’s husband, on her behalf, sued Deeb, alleging improper treatment of the ulcer and failure to order a timely embolization. The plaintiff argued that Deeb should have cauterized the vessels of the ulcer and referred Patel for an embolization after the first bleed.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $2.62 million.

Citation: Patel v. Deeb, No. 20182625 (Ariz. Super. Ct. Pima Cty. Dec. 15, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: James Campbell, Tucson, Ariz.