NEW ORLEANS – A medical malpractice lawsuit filed against John P. Hamide M.D. has been dismissed with prejudice.
The physician was initially accused of improperly conducting a biopsy and causing damage to his patient who later died. However, through the dismissal, Hamide has been permanently cleared of any claims of malpractice linked to the procedure.
Herbert Beasley, individually and on behalf of his deceased wife Bridget Beasley, filed suit against Hamide and Lammico Insurance Agency Inc. in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on May 13.
Beasley claimed that his wife, Bridget Beasley, had been under the care of another physician who ordered diagnostic studies which indicated that Beasley had a mediastinal mass and an adrenal mass. Bridget Beasley was allegedly referred for a CT guided biopsy of these mediastinal and adrenal masses to the defendant, a radiologist.
On Oct. 12, 2011 Hamide performed a CT guided biopsy of the mediastinal mass and adrenal mass on the plaintiff, prior to which a scout noted that there was no fluid in the pericardial sac. During the procedure, Bridget Beasley allegedly began to suffer from an excessive heart rate and began sweating profusely. After a rapid response team was called, Bridget Beasley allegedly spontaneously resumed the proper heart rate after compressions and began breathing on her own after which she was admitted to the ICU. The plaintiff contended that following cardiology services and during the next several days Bridget Beasley's fluid drained from a tube placed in her pericardium.
According to the lawsuit, on Oct. 14, 2011, a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage was noted in Bridget Beasley’s right temporal lobe on a CT scan after which she became more unresponsive and after consultation the plaintiff agreed to a “do not resuscitate order” for her. Bridget Beasley subsequently passed away on Oct. 18, 2011.
The plaintiff sought an unspecified amount in damages on behalf of the decedent for continued pain and suffering and mental anguish, and on behalf of his daughter and himself for loss of support and income, loss of their spouse/mother, loss of love and affection, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
The plaintiff is represented by New Orleans attorneys M. Suzane Montero and Warren A. Forstall, Jr.
This case has been assigned to Division E Judge Claire Jupiter.
Case No. 2015-04578.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the lawsuit's dismissal.