New York Malpractice & Injury Lawyer Blog
Steve Kenan was laid to rest after his unexpected death. The man died in 2013, but one piece of his body was not buried with him. Kenan’s heart has traveled more than 1,000 miles as pathologists struggle to determine if the man died of medical negligence or natural causes.
It may seem strange to some, but Kenan’s heart could be the key needed for his family to file a successful medical malpractice lawsuit. Kenan died at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Florida just three hours after a surgeon drained liquid from his chest. Roland Lamb, the hospital’s lawyer, has been driving Kenan’s heart from pathologist to pathologist because he cannot take formaldehyde on a plane.
What is known for certain is that Kenan suffered with cardiomyopathy. His heart was enlarged and unable to pump blood through his body in a normal capacity. According to his family’s lawyer, Kenan was in no medical distress when doctors decided to perform a pericardiocentesis to drain liquid from his chest.
Three pathology reports have come to different conclusions. One did not find a specific cause of death, one found a puncture in his heart along with two pieces of metal, and a third found no puncture, indicating that Kenan died from sudden cardiac death.
What will happen to Kenan’s heart now, and any subsequent lawsuit, is unknown. Unfortunately for Kenan’s family, no one can seem to agree on just what caused the man’s death.
If you have been the victim of medical negligence or error in New York, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call our team of medical malpractice attorneys for a no-cost evaluation. We are here to help you and your family move forward.