Maryland family awarded nearly $1 million in medical malpractice/wrongful death suit

By Laura Vogltanz

Published on April 07, 2006

After a nine-day medical malpractice trial, the jury found that Nurse Abu Kamara and Dr. Steven Nagel violated adequate standards of care for Lester Moser, the 79-year-old Thurmont resident.

The jury only placed damages against Mr. Kamara and his employer, OMV Medical Inc., saying that the nurse's failure to keep Dr. Nagel informed of Mr. Moser's worsening condition was the real issue. Mr. Kamara failed to contact Dr. Nagel about three key factors: that Mr. Moser was complaining of severe pain, that a tube needed for suctioning was not inserted in a timely fashion and that he had vomited.

Mr. Moser was transferred to Johns Hopkins on August 21, 2002 and died two days later of sepsis and organ failure. Surviving family members include his wife of 56 years and their three grown children.

The jury awarded $55,000 for past expenses related to Mr. Moser's medical care, $500,000 in non-economic damages to his estate, $250,000 in damages to his wife and $130,000 total in damages to his children.

Mr. Moser worked as a school bus driver and local letter carrier. His family says the past few years have been difficult, but they are satisfied with the verdict.

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