The family of a Georgia woman who drowned in a bathtub at Gwinnett Medical
Center has been awarded $5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. Wendy Wyckstandt, 34, was hospitalized in 2000 for post-partum high blood pressure four days after giving birth.  Her mother found her after she collapsed while taking a shower. Ms. Wyckstandt died the next day.  

In 2002, the family of Wendy Wyckstandt sued Gwinnett Health System, the parent company of Gwinnett Medical Center. They believed that Wendy was weak due to her medical condition, and needed assistance with showering. Attorneys for the family felt that the hospital did not provide them with all of their evidence, and also felt that they tampered with Ms. Wyckstandt’s medical records. A hospital spokesperson argued that no evidence was altered, and that hospital staff did check on Ms. Wyckstandt’s condition. There were two trials in the case; the first verdict was a hung jury in favor of the hospital.

During the second trial, lawyers for the victim’s family requested videotapes from three cameras that were outside of Ms. Wyckstandt’s hospital room to see how often she was monitored by staff. The hospital only offered two videotapes, one with a 30-minute gap with no activity. Coincidentally, this gap is found at the same time a nurse claims to have checked on the patient. The hospital says that gap was due to the fact that the tape was being switched after a shift change. Hospital officials plan to appeal the verdict.  

If you reside in southern California and have been seriously injured, contact the law firm of Estey & Bomberger.