$20.5M Award in Ava Wilson Morphine Overdose Case
Table of Contents
Case Background
Eleven-year-old Ava Wilson had been in remission from leukemia and visited Advocate Children’s Hospital for outpatient care on October 28, 2020. Following this visit, she received a prescription for morphine to treat breakthrough pain. Less than 36 hours later, Ava died due to morphine toxicity. Her family filed a medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit against Advocate Children’s Hospital and involved providers, alleging that the care team had negligently prescribed and failed to monitor morphine administration.
Cause of Action
The Plaintiffs argued that hospital staff prescribed excessive morphine and failed to intervene despite warning signs of overdose. They claimed this constituted a breach of the accepted standard of pediatrics care, resulting in the preventable death of a child who had been winning her battle with cancer.
Injury
Ava suffered morphine toxicity, which led to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. Her family insisted the tragedy was avoidable and blamed it on human error rather th
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