Slaybough v. Nathan Littauer Hospital
Plaintiff, a manual laborer, suffered a severe hand injury and sought emergency care at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Due to significant delays (over six hours) in receiving proper treatment and the wound not being cleaned, his condition deteriorated, leading to failed surgeries performed by Dr. Thomas S. Eagan and permanent injury to his left index finger. Plaintiff sued the hospital and Dr. Eagan for medical malpractice, later discontinuing the claim against Eagan. A jury found the hospital liable, awarding $250,000 for pain and suffering. The hospital appealed, arguing improper denial of summary judgment, insufficient proximate cause proof, and that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. The appeals court affirmed the judgment against Nathan Littauer Hospital, finding sufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict of negligence and damages.