2 largest settlements yet add $9M over deaths tied to doctor
Posted August 27, 2019 12:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio hospital system that found a doctor ordered excessive painkillers for about three dozen patients who died has reached settlements totalling $9 million in lawsuits over two deaths.
Those are much larger than previous settlements in cases involving the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System and fired doctor William Husel (HYOO’-suhl).
The two lawsuits alleged drugs ordered by Husel caused the death of a 58-year-old man last September and hastened the death of a 75-year-old woman in intensive care in November.
The 43-year-old Husel pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of the woman and 24 other patients over several years. He hasn’t been criminally charged in the man’s death.
A defence lawyer has said Husel was providing comfort care to dying patients, not trying to kill them.
Kantele Franko, The Associated Press
