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Washington DOC Settles Stroke Suit for $111,000

The Washington Department of Corrections agreed to pay $111,000 to settle a prisoner's lawsuit in which he claimed to have suffered permanent injuries after DOC doctors discontinued his heart medication. The settlement was finalized on October 22, 2002 in the Snohomish County Superior Court.


Everett Osborne had a history of heart disease. On June 11, 1997, while imprisoned at the Airway Heights Corrections Center, cardiologist Pierre P. Leimgruber, M.D., placed him on the drug Coumadin because of a heart condition known as left ventricular apical mural thrombosis. Dr. Leimgruber issued specific instructions for Osborne to remain on the drug until an echocardiogram could be performed to determine the resolution of the condition.


On October 29, 1997, heedless of Dr. Leimgruber's orders, DOC personnel discontinued Osborne's Coumadin and substituted it with aspirin.


On January 3, 2000, a clot in Osborne's heart caused a right lower extremity embolus which resulted in severe damage to his left leg. On August 4, 2000, while a prisoner at the Twin Rivers Corrections Center, Osborne, who according to court records now suffers constant pain, is required to wear a brace and must walk with a cane, filed a $750,000 claim with the State Office of Risk Management.


The claim was denied, resulting in a state lawsuit naming various defendants including Vera Talseth, Gary J.Goodman, M.D. and Spokane Cardiology, P.S. All claims against Talseth, Goodman and Spokane Cardiology were dismissed as part of the settlement. Osborne was represented by Seattle attorney Jane Fantel of Lopez & Fantel. See: Osborne v. State of Washington, Snohomish County Superior Court, Case No. 00-2-08376-7.

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Related legal case

Osborne v. State of Washington