Opinion ID: 1858934
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: medical malpractice liability

Text: The trial court concluded that Murphy Steptoe died from a preventable cardiac arrhythmia caused by negligent medical treatment. His chance of surviving his accidental injuries was lost because of medical malpractice. Hastings v. Baton Rouge Gen. Hosp., 498 So.2d.713 (La.1986); Martin v. East Jefferson General Hosp., 582 So.2d 1272 (La.1991). A tortfeasor is liable for related medical treatment injuries suffered by a tort victim. Weber v. Charity Hosp. of Louisiana, 475 So.2d 1047 (La.1985); Lambert v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 629 So.2d 328 (La.1993). See Joiner v. Diamond M Drilling Co., 688 F.2d 256 (5th Cir.1982). There is an ease of association between the original injury and the negligent treatment which creates solidary liability between the tortfeasor and those guilty of medical malpractice. LSA-C.C. art. 2324 (prior to its 1987 amendment); Younger v. Marshall Industries, 618 So.2d 866 (La.1993); Lasha v. Olin Corp., 625 So.2d 1002 (La.1993). The tortious medical treatment aggravated the accidental injury, and the malpractice defendants are liable for the full extent of the aggravation.