Congratulations to Catherine "Katie” Bertram and her team at Bertram Law Group, PLLC, on their recent $17.1 Million verdict. Katie was the lead trial attorney for a thirty-three (33) year old single mother of three (3) who passed away when the health care provider failed to diagnose her ectopic pregnancy and allowed it to rupture.
The decedent went to the MedStar Woman’s Wellness Clinic on February 7, 2018, stating she had experienced over two (2) weeks of unexplained vaginal bleeding. She was seen by a nurse practitioner (“NP”) and submitted a urine test which confirmed she was pregnant. The NP performed an incomplete transvaginal ultrasound without formal training or certification. Blood was also drawn and sent to a lab. The next day the blood test results showed the patient was 6-7 weeks pregnant. The NP failed to inform the decedent of the results or possible deadly diagnosis. At trial, when asked why not, the NP stated she did not inform the decedent because she “did not want to scare the patient.” The decedent had a follow-up appointment scheduled for February 14, 2018; however, she went on a planned vacation without knowing the urgency of her condition. Tragically, she passed away at her vacation rental on February 17, 2018, when her ectopic pregnancy ruptured.
The NP opined she did not have enough information to diagnose ectopic pregnancy. Defense counsel argued it was the decedent’s fault for not returning as scheduled for a redraw of the lab testing. The decedent was not aware of the risk she was facing. Consequently, Katie requested the Court exclude any contributory negligence on the patient’s part. The Court ruled in Katie’s favor.
The jury found MedStar Woman’s Wellness Clinic negligent and that the NP failed to provide the patient with informed consent about her likely diagnosis and the risks. The jury awarded each of the decedent’s children $5 Million for loss of education, guidance, and support. The jury further awarded $500,000 for conscious pain and suffering and $1.607M for future lost wages and loss of household services, as Katie and her team requested.
No money can replace what the decedent’s children have lost; however, thanks to Bertram Law Group, PLLC, the children and their aunt will have the resources they need to move forward.
As stated on her website, Katie’s firm is “Committed to Excellence. Every case. Every time.” Their firm specializes in medical malpractice, wrongful death, brain and birth injuries cases, among other types of civil injustice. Katie is uniquely qualified to handle these cases due to her extensive experience in the health care industry and her trial experience before founding her own firm, Bertram Law Group, PLLC, in 2018. Katie has also crafted a team of dedicated and skilled professionals, including nurses and doctors who work side by side with Katie and her clients and who all share her conviction for making the wrongs right.
Advocate Capital, Inc. is honored to work with Catherine “Katie” Bertram and her team at Bertram Law Group, PLLC, and we congratulate them on their continued success.
