The parents of 16-year-old Heather Harkness filed a lawsuit against a surgeon, anesthesiologist and the Integris Baptist Medical Center in Edmond, Oklahoma, claiming they were responsible for her death. Harkness, a high school student, died on September 9, 2008, after complications from a laparascopic appendectomy.NewsOK.com: Edmond Girl's Parents Sue In Surgery Death (January 16, 2009)
Appendectomy Lawsuit
An attorney for the family says the hospital was negligent in checking the surgeons' credentials and says the family was told the surgery would be a "piece of cake." Harkness' autopsy revealed that she died of extensive blood loss after the surgeon "nicked the common iliac artery." The death was ruled an accident by the Chief Medical Examiner.EdmondSun.com: Volleyball Player's Parents File Lawsuit (January 14, 2009)
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Parents
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Was 16 years old at time of death
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Died on September 16, 2009
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Cause of death ruled an accident
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Cheif Medical Examiner's office wrote, "It is felt the cause of death is regarded to (be an) incised wound of left common carotid artery caused by the mechanism of exsanguination"EdmondSun.com: Volleyball Player's Parents File Lawsuit (January 14, 2009)
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Exsanguination is blood loss due to an internal or external hemorrhageEdmondSun.com: Volleyball Player's Parents File Lawsuit (January 14, 2009)
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Parents filed a lawsuit against Dr. Walter M. Bell, Dr. Edwin C. Nalagan and Integris Baptist Medical Center EdmondSun.com: Volleyball Player's Parents File Lawsuit (January 14, 2009)
