Wiedo v. Capital Family Physicians

Case Background

The Estate of Amanda Wiedo filed a medical malpractice lawsuit after linking Wiedo’s wrongful death to toxic serotonin syndrome that was caused by the interaction of common anxiety and depression drugs prescribed by Dr. Carolyn Browne at Capital Physicians Group. The physician’s group was sued and blamed for failing to monitor Wiedo’s slowly rising and subtle serotonin syndrome.

The case was filed in the [Case number: 20-174]

Cause

Amanda Wiedo, a 35-year-old from Shelbyville, received treatment from Dr. Carolyn Browne at Capital Physicians Group in May 2017. Dr. Browne prescribed Zoloft and Topamax to address Wiedo’s anxiety and depression. In May 2018, Wiedo stopped receiving care from Capital Physicians Group and began seeing a physician and neurology mid-level provider. They continued her on the same medications.

Six months later, on November 18, 2018, Wiedo suddenly passed away. The medical examiner determined that serotonin syndrome caused her death. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive levels of serotonin, often due to drug interactions She was survived by her two minor children.

Damages

If the estate won the case, it sought damages in three areas. Each of the two children requested $1,000,000 for their loss of companionship. Additionally, the estate sought compensation for Wiedo’s lost earnings. Wiedo had worked as a pharmacy supervisor.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

Claims

The Wiedo estate filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Capital Physicians Group, claiming negligence by Dr. Browne. The estate argued that Browne improperly started the prescription regimen and failed to monitor the developing serotonin syndrome.

The estate faced a causation issue that needed addressing. Dr. Browne stopped treating Wiedo six months before her death. Wiedo’s new doctors continued the same prescription regimen.

The estate argued that those providers were not at fault. It alleged that Capital Physicians Group had been responsible for starting the subtle rise in her serotonin levels.

Defense

Capital Physicians Group defended itself on multiple grounds and denied medical malpractice allegations. First, it argued that prescribing the drugs was appropriate and within the recommended dosages. The defense also stated there was no evidence of an adverse drug interaction.

The defense further challenged causation. It denied that the drugs or serotonin levels contributed to Wiedo’s death.

The defense claimed she died from a sudden cardiac event linked to her pre-existing conditions, including obesity and heart disease.

Expert Testimony

Dr. Karla Stephens, an expert for the estate in Family Practice from Lexington, relied on the medical examiner’s testimony. She believed that if serotonin levels had been monitored, the dangerous rise would have been detected and treated.

An economist, William Baldwin from Lexington, calculated Wiedo’s lost earnings at $2,425,317.

The defense experts included Dr. Michael Yaffe, a Family Practice doctor from Columbus, OH, Dr. Kimberly Collins, a Pathologist from Wadmalaw Island, SC, and Dr. Edward Boyer, a Medical Toxicologist from Columbus, OH.

Jury Verdict

The case first went to trial in June 2023. Just before opening statements, after the jury was selected, a juror pointed at Dr. Browne and said, “Guilty.” Judge Wingate declared a mistrial.

The case went to trial again 16 months later and lasted four days before reaching the jury. The jury unanimously found that Capital Family Physicians Group had not violated the standard of care for a reasonably prudent physician group. The deliberations ended, and the estate received no compensation.

Court Documents:

Available for purchase upon request