Misdiagnosed Woman Wins $1.4 Million

A Multnomah County jury has awarded a Portland woman $1.4 million after ruling that doctors mistook bleeding in her brain for a panic attack.

Elizabeth Henderson, 33, had taken an ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center in March 1991, complaining of severe sinus headaches.

According to testimony in her lawsuit against the hospital, she was told she was suffering a panic attack and was sent home.

The following month, Henderson returned to the hospital, complaining of a severe headache. She was given some medication and sent home once again.

The next day, Henderson went to her family physician, Dr. Bradley J. Fancher, who prescribed painkillers and sent her home. She continued to complain of headache pain and repeatedly called Fancher’s office.

Finally, on April 20, Henderson was admitted to St. Vincent, where a CT scan found she was suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. During the following 12 hours, while she was under observation, the hemorrhage caused her brain to herniate - or push out of her skull - and she was rushed into surgery.

Her attorney told the jury that Henderson’s short-term memory was damaged permanently and she has trouble organizing things, which interferes with her work as a sales representative.