Malpractice denied in woman's delivery

The health-care professionals who attended a pregnant woman who developed an insidious infection that forced amputation of both legs and one arm have denied any wrongdoing in responses to the woman's $16 million lawsuit.

Lisa Speckman, 44, of Bountiful, underwent a Cesarean section at LDS Hospital in 2005 and developed an infection that produced "flesh-eating bacteria" over a four-day period in the hospital that required the amputations, as well as a hysterectomy and surgical removal of one of her fingers, her ovaries, most of her large intestine and gall bladder.

She filed a civil lawsuit Sept. 6, alleging medical malpractice. Among those named in the lawsuit are LDS Hospital, University of Utah Hospital and Clinics, other university entities, Intermountain Health Services and Intermountain Nurse Midwifery Service, IHC Health Plans, and several doctors and nurses.

Responses to the specific allegations in Speckman's lawsuit, filed in 3rd District Court, say that the defendants deny any wrongdoing and have no or insufficient knowledge of what Speckman is claiming.

The defendants also contend that Speckman, or unnamed third parties, were negligent or careless, and therefore caused her injuries. The responses assert that Speckman's injuries were caused by other events or conditions and say that Speckman got medical treatment that was "appropriate and within the standard of care."

A response filed Tuesday also contends Speckman's claim for punitive damages is unconstitutional because it allegedly asks for "excessive fines" and violates constitutional protections for equal protection and due process.

Speckman says in her lawsuit that she was suffering an "obvious" infection before delivery that was not treated during prenatal care. Her lawsuit insists that medical malpractice was the reason why two powerful infections were not diagnosed and treated. This, in turn, caused her "catastrophic" injuries, ruined her finances, produced ongoing pain and medical problems and "devastatingly" harmed her relationships with her husband and two daughters, according to her lawsuit.

She previously worked as a nurse at LDS Hospital.

Although a $16 million sum was named in the civil action, a jury will ultimately decide what, if anything, should be awarded.

All parties are seeking a jury trial. The case has been assigned to 3rd District Judge Tyrone Medley.

Speckman's husband, Stephen, is a reporter for the Deseret Morning News.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com

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