Jury Awards $31.9M in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Cleveland Clinic Florida Over Failed Intubations

Andrea S. Oriolo, et al Plaintiff vs. Cleveland Clinic Florida ( A NonProfit Corporation), et al Defendant

Case Background

On December 19, 2019, Diana Santa Maria filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming medical malpractice following the death of her 51-year-old fiance, Saverio Sasso. The case centered around multiple failed intubation attempts, which caused an anoxic brain injury that led to Sasso’s death. He left behind his 16-year-old daughter, Gabriella Sasso. The case was filed in Florida, Broward County Court. Michele Towbin Singer presided over this case. [Case number: CACE19026017]

Cause

On September 23 and 24, 2018, physicians and staff at Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF) provided medical care to Saverio Sasso, who later passed away. At the time, the medical team acted within the scope of their employment with the healthcare system. Sasso, a 51-year-old patient, was admitted to CCF's emergency room on September 23, 2018. He had recently visited urgent care twice within 24 hours, presenting symptoms such as dysuria, fever, chills, nausea, and signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). By the time of his admission, Sasso was septic and at high risk for septic shock, necessitating close monitoring. Despite this, medical staff failed to provide appropriate monitoring or take necessary vital signs. Sasso's condition worsened throughout the night as staff neglected to recognize or address the progression of his illness. This lack of intervention allowed his sepsis to escalate to septic shock and lactic acidosis, leading to fluid overload, respiratory failure, and ultimately his preventable decline. At 5:44 a.m. on September 24, 2018, staff discovered Sasso experiencing severe shortness of breath and rigors. A Rapid Response Team intervened, and an intern and pulmonary fellow attempted intubation without proper supervision. After administering a paralytic that incapacitated Sasso’s ability to breathe, multiple failed intubation attempts followed. Intubation was not successfully completed until 6:37 a.m. b