Salem VA and its doctors get sued for medical malpractice

Richard Keith Linkous of Wythe County was admitted to the Veterans Affairs Medical Centre in Salem where he had a pacemaker installed. 

He soon developed an infection and was seen back at the health care center where he informed the doctors that he felt that device was migrating towards his skin. Treatment for the infection filled during which time the lawsuit mentions that you could see the device "protruding" through the incision on the chest. Linkous also underwent another procedure to irrigate and debride the surgical site. After some time Linkous was readmitted to Salem VA and later transferred to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where the pacemaker was removed. By then his condition worsened and he died of septic shock. 

Linkous' three daughters filed a medical malpractice suit against Salem VA and its doctors seeking $2.35 million in damages. The lawsuit claimed that the doctors failed to recognize and treat the infection adequately. They should have removed the pacemaker earlier. US District Court in Roanoke recently approved the settlement. Although it denied liability the government offered to pay $550,000. Under the terms of the settlements, each of Linkous' daughters is supposed to get $135,196. The Jackson Law Group will receive $137,500 for representing the family and the remaining amount will be used to settle medical bills. 

Source: The Roanoke Times