Andy Foulkrod and Eric Lauerman, attorneys in the firm's Harrisburg office,  received a unanimous defense verdict of no negligence for a local hospitalist after a six day trial in Chester County.  Through experts in internal medicine and infectious disease, Plaintiff argued the failure to diagnose and treat sepsis, evidenced by SIRS (tachycardia, hypotension and increased WBC with left shift) and bacteremia revealed on blood cultures, leading to death.

The defense argued that the SIRS was explained without an infectious etiology, and that antibiotics were not indicated at the time of presentation to the hospitalist.  The case also centered on proper follow-up of testing that was ordered to evaluate for sepsis.