2008 Woodie Awards
UIHC sued in death
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: Metro
An Iowa family filed a lawsuit Monday, alleging staff members at the UI Hospitals and Clinics caused the death of their daughter, the third lawsuit of its kind this year.
Larry and Janice Kaberle of Rowley, Iowa, alleged in the suit that their daughter, Lisa Kaberle Zahina, died due to "complications of myocarditis" in 2005, only days after she was discharged from UIHC.
The family's attorney, Larry Helvey of Cedar Rapids, wrote in the suit that Kaberle Zahina, 24 at the time, was admitted to UIHC on May 14, 2005, complaining of a headache, chest discomfort, a rapid heart beat, and shortness of breath. She was eventually diagnosed with myocarditis - the inflammation of a muscular substance of the heart.
On July 1, 2005, Kaberle Zahina was allegedly told at a follow-up appointment at UIHC that her myocarditis was resolved.
Three days later, she was admitted to Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, Iowa, the lawsuit read, complaining of dizziness, a headache, nausea, and vomiting. She died later that day.
An autopsy performed at UIHC the next day "listed her cause of death as complications of myocarditis," according to the petition.
The lawsuit is the third naming UIHC in an alleged wrongful death since January.
In another suit, the husband and sons of a woman alleged she contracted Legionnaires' disease while staying at UIHC, eventually resulting in her death.
In April, a Monticello, Iowa, family claimed doctors performed an unauthorized procedure on their 4-month-old daughter, also resulting in her death.
Officials at UIHC do not comment on pending litigation.
The Kaberles are seeking full compensation for their losses and for the costs of the lawsuit.
- by Olivia Moran
Larry and Janice Kaberle of Rowley, Iowa, alleged in the suit that their daughter, Lisa Kaberle Zahina, died due to "complications of myocarditis" in 2005, only days after she was discharged from UIHC.
The family's attorney, Larry Helvey of Cedar Rapids, wrote in the suit that Kaberle Zahina, 24 at the time, was admitted to UIHC on May 14, 2005, complaining of a headache, chest discomfort, a rapid heart beat, and shortness of breath. She was eventually diagnosed with myocarditis - the inflammation of a muscular substance of the heart.
On July 1, 2005, Kaberle Zahina was allegedly told at a follow-up appointment at UIHC that her myocarditis was resolved.
Three days later, she was admitted to Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, Iowa, the lawsuit read, complaining of dizziness, a headache, nausea, and vomiting. She died later that day.
An autopsy performed at UIHC the next day "listed her cause of death as complications of myocarditis," according to the petition.
The lawsuit is the third naming UIHC in an alleged wrongful death since January.
In another suit, the husband and sons of a woman alleged she contracted Legionnaires' disease while staying at UIHC, eventually resulting in her death.
In April, a Monticello, Iowa, family claimed doctors performed an unauthorized procedure on their 4-month-old daughter, also resulting in her death.
Officials at UIHC do not comment on pending litigation.
The Kaberles are seeking full compensation for their losses and for the costs of the lawsuit.
- by Olivia Moran
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