Bill Paxton’s family has reached a partial settlement with an anesthesiologist medical group in the wrongful death/negligence suit they filed following theactor’s death in 2017.
According to court papers submitted on Wednesday with theLos Angeles Superior Court, attorneys for co-defendants General Anesthesia Specialists Partnership are seeking approval of a settlement of $1 million between Paxton’s family and the company.
The agency was involved in Paxton’s heart surgery that occurred at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles less than two weeks before his death on Feb. 25, 2017, at the age of 61.
While General Anesthesia denied any direct responsibility in Paxton’s death, documents showed that the intent of the settlement was to reach an agreement that would “reasonably compensate plaintiffs and avoid exposing defendant to an expensive and time consuming litigation.”
The filing says the settlement is contingent on the court’s finding it was made in good faith,NBC Newsreports.
Sipa / AP Images.
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RELATED VIDEO: Bill Paxton’s Family Blames Surgeon Who Operated on Him and Hospital for Actor’s Death at 61
The family is also claiming that the hospital “failed to disclose that [Dr. Khoynezhad] was going to use a high risk and unconventional surgical approach with which he lacked experience and which was, based upon information and belief, beyond the scope of his privileges.”
Furthermore, they allege that Dr. Khoynezhad was “not in the hospital” when Paxton “began suffering the complications” and failed to arrange for “continuous care and coverage” for the actor while he was away. This, the lawsuit alleges, caused “a delay in treatment resulting in damage.”
As a result of the hospital and surgeon’s alleged negligence, Paxton had to undergo a series of procedures that ultimately led to his death 10 days later, according to the documents.
“Bill Paxton and his family trusted the physicians and staff at this medical facility but instead Cedars-Sinai betrayed their trust,” said the family’s attorney Bruce Broillet in a statement at the time. “The surgeon’s actions resulted in this tragic and preventable death.”
source: people.com
