The family of 11-year-old Ava Wilson have been awarded $20.5 million after the young girl died as a result of being prescribed a lethal dose of painkillers.
It was back in April 2020 when the family's life was turned upside down after Ava was diagnosed with B-lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of blood and bone marrow cancer.
Ava underwent consolidation therapy and chemotherapy, according to a wrongful death lawsuit - and was said to be in remission in June 2020.
Despite having cancer, Ava's outlook was looking positive, according to the family’s law firm - but that all changed in October 2020 when she went for a follow up appointment at Advocate Children's Hospital.
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Her family's attorneys say the girl was crying from pain and had difficulties walking during that time.
Ava had low platelet counts, low blood cell counts, high liver enzymes, and low blood pressure according to lab results, as per CBS News.
She was eventually discharged from Advocate Children's Hospital, and was told to take 15 milligrams of morphine every four hours.
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Ava was also a prescribed an increased gabapentin prescription by a nurse practitioner upon leaving the health centre. But just 36 hours after Ava returned home, she tragically died in her sleep as a result of acute drug toxicity of several substances.
A subsequent autopsy report found the child had lethal levels of morphine in her system at the time of her death.
Now, almost five years on from the tragedy, a jury has awarded Ava's family $20.5 million.
"Morphine is a potentially dangerous drug that should only be used with great caution and under close monitoring, especially when you increase the dose that can be given to an 11-year-old child," the family's attorney, Matthew Williams, told PEOPLE.
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"When that’s not done, the patient is put at an unnecessary risk for drug toxicity. respiratory depression or even death," Williams added. "The family is thankful to the jury for recognizing their loss and giving them some sense of justice."
Ava's family attorneys said the hospital should have admitted Ava to get her blood pressure under control before sending her home.
"Ava's body was yelling out to these clinicians, 'help me!', and they just ignored it," Williams said.
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The attorney added in press release: "Instead of admitting Ava to the hospital to get her blood pressure, heart rate and pain levels within acceptable and normal limits, Advocate employees sent Ava home with excessive pain medications."
Advocate Children’s Hospital said in a statement provided to UNILAD: "Our hearts go out to this family. We are committed to providing appropriate care to every patient. Due to patient privacy, we are unable to comment further."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
Callum Jones