Maryland Accident Law Blog
The family of Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17-year-old teenager who died just hours after CIGNA HealthCare reversed its decision and agreed to pay for her liver transplant, says they will sue the health insurer for her wrongful death.
Nataline had been fighting leukemia. Her liver failed because of a complication she developed after receiving a bone marrow transplant from her brother. Nataline had been in a vegetative state for weeks.
On December 11, Doctors at UCLA asked CIGNA HealthCare to approve her transplant. CIGNA HealthCare denied the request. They said the transplant procedure was experimental and not within its scope of coverage. Her family took her off life support on December 20.
Protestors stood outside CIGNA’s Glendale, California office to complain about their decision not to pay for the transplant. The healthcare company then changed its mind and decided to pay.
The survival rate of patients whose liver transplants were performed in the U.S.:
• The 1 year survival rate for patients who have a liver transplant is 85% in the US (University of Southern California’s Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases)
• The 5 year survival rate for patients who have a liver transplant is 70% in the US (University of Southern California’s Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases)
If you believe that a person or business contributed in any way to the death of your loved one, you should speak with a wrongful death lawyer right away. A wrongful death lawyer will know the proper steps to take to maximize your changes of recovery for the death of your loved one.
Family plans to sue Cigna HealthCare, STLtoday.com, December 22, 2007
Teen’s family plans to sue health insurer over transplant delay, Examiner.com, December 21, 2007
Prognosis of Liver conditions, WrongDiagnosis.com
Related Web Resource:
In Maryland and Washington D.C., the wrongful death law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your case. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen today.