Martin hospital cleared of wrongdoing in $10 million dollar wrongful death suit
Charlie McIntosh
Issue date: 7/7/09 Section: Campus News
Weakley County jury sided with a Martin, Tennessee hospital on Tuesday, clearing the hospital of any wrongdoing in a wrongful death suit made by the mother of deceased UTM student Jodi Woods.
The verdict to the $10 million dollar negligence lawsuit made against Volunteer Community Hospital came after two weeks of testimony. The jurors had to come to a unanimous decision regarding the quality of care received by Woods in 2006 before she died.
Donna Shedd, the mother of Woods, responded to the verdict by saying that she wanted public awareness moreso than money.
"If I had been given all the money that hospital ever made, I would still never be happy without Jodi," Shedd said. "My hope was that it would open the eyes of the hospital and community, force the hospital to be safer and perhaps keep this from happening to someone else's child."
Shedd continued by saying that she is not bitter about the results and feels that she accomplished what she wanted from the trial.
"All I wanted to do was tell the story of what happened to Jodi," Shedd said. "I know there will be many people who think I did this for the money, and they're entitled to believe what they want."
Matthew E. Wright of Craft & Shepperd, PLC, the law firm representing the Plaintiff, responded Wednesday afternoon to Tuesday morning's verdict.
"We respect the jury's decision, although we wish it had gone differently," Wright said. "The main objective for Ms. Shedd was to have the story told about how Jodi was treated and to increase awareness to the community regarding the hospital."
Wright went on to say that while there is a 30 day window to file an appeal after the verdict is finalized, no decision has been made as to whether an appeal will be pursued.
"Statistically, in 90 percent of cases like these the jury sides with the hospital," Wright said. "We're just hopeful that this will have a positive affect on the way patients are treated."
After two weeks of testimony, the jury made the unanimous decision testimony that Nurse Shani Edge, who assisted Dr. David Oruma with the case in 2006, was not at fault for the death of Jodi Woods.
The verdict to the $10 million dollar negligence lawsuit made against Volunteer Community Hospital came after two weeks of testimony. The jurors had to come to a unanimous decision regarding the quality of care received by Woods in 2006 before she died.
Donna Shedd, the mother of Woods, responded to the verdict by saying that she wanted public awareness moreso than money.
"If I had been given all the money that hospital ever made, I would still never be happy without Jodi," Shedd said. "My hope was that it would open the eyes of the hospital and community, force the hospital to be safer and perhaps keep this from happening to someone else's child."
Shedd continued by saying that she is not bitter about the results and feels that she accomplished what she wanted from the trial.
"All I wanted to do was tell the story of what happened to Jodi," Shedd said. "I know there will be many people who think I did this for the money, and they're entitled to believe what they want."
Matthew E. Wright of Craft & Shepperd, PLC, the law firm representing the Plaintiff, responded Wednesday afternoon to Tuesday morning's verdict.
"We respect the jury's decision, although we wish it had gone differently," Wright said. "The main objective for Ms. Shedd was to have the story told about how Jodi was treated and to increase awareness to the community regarding the hospital."
Wright went on to say that while there is a 30 day window to file an appeal after the verdict is finalized, no decision has been made as to whether an appeal will be pursued.
"Statistically, in 90 percent of cases like these the jury sides with the hospital," Wright said. "We're just hopeful that this will have a positive affect on the way patients are treated."
After two weeks of testimony, the jury made the unanimous decision testimony that Nurse Shani Edge, who assisted Dr. David Oruma with the case in 2006, was not at fault for the death of Jodi Woods.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Jeff
posted 7/07/09 @ 1:28 PM CST
This is disgraceful. There is no way in anyone's right mind, that they should believe the hospital in innocent in this malpractice suit. If anyone has ever been to Martin Hopital, then they would know, that it is the worst hospital in the area. (Continued…)
Bobby
posted 7/07/09 @ 8:50 PM CST
Lawyers that represent this flagrant violation of human
suffering should keep their sympathy to themselves. Hypocritical sympathy is no substitute for the loss of a loved one at the hands of those trusted for medical care. (Continued…)
mat
posted 7/07/09 @ 10:21 PM CST
i recently went to the emergency room for an infection in my teeth and dr oruma was my doctor, i was in centerville tn about 2.5 hours away and i am scared about my prescription he gave me. (Continued…)
kat
posted 7/08/09 @ 12:52 PM CST
I have NEVER heard a positive word about Martin's hospital from ANYONE- older adults or college students. I agree with the previous statement, if anything ever happens to me, I would prefer my friends rush me to a different hospital. (Continued…)
MIKE
posted 7/08/09 @ 12:54 PM CST
Ms Dixie Cooper is more than a little disingenuous when she says a lumbar puncture could not be done because the patient could not accept it !!!NONsense they never tried to do a lumbar puncture when it should have been done by the time they diddled around she was comatose combative because they Failed to act promptly Don't take my word for it look at the testimony given in this case OH yeah why Did Dr Oruma settle if everything was done correctly!!!!
Ann
posted 7/09/09 @ 10:12 PM CST
I have worked for the Martin Hospital. I saw some pretty terrible things. I have no doubt that this girl's death was their fault. I wouldn't let them treat my cat. (Continued…)
Cory
posted 7/11/09 @ 9:42 AM CST
Everyone remember that we are reading a summary of the case. I don't feel the jury would have sided with the hospital for no reason.
Commissar
posted 7/13/09 @ 11:49 AM CST
My wife had her baby at Volunteer hospital and the care was excellent. I have been to the ER on a couple of occasions since moving to Martin from Clifornia and again - the care was excellent. (Continued…)
C.L.
posted 7/13/09 @ 12:34 PM CST
I have had the displeasure of being a patient at Volunteer twice since I have been a student at UTM. During my most recent trip (which was roughly 6 months ago), I waited in the ER waiting room for 2 hours in agony without ever being seen. (Continued…)
Grace
posted 7/13/09 @ 2:24 PM CST
the care given at the ER is on a case by case basis. Some nurses and doctors are better than others. It is not just to crucify the entire staff because of one tragedy. (Continued…)
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