A medical malpractice lawsuit has been filed against a prominent Florida hospital and its associated physicians, alleging severe negligence that resulted in the plaintiff losing vision in one eye. The complaint was filed by Richard A. Carton and his wife Stella J. Carton on August 20, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County, Florida, naming Jupiter Medical Center, Inc., Dr. Christopher C. Muenchen, and Sheridan Emergency Physician Services, Inc. as defendants.
According to the court documents, Richard A. Carton presented himself at Jupiter Medical Center's emergency department on August 30, 2023, with symptoms of disorientation and slight aphasia that had occurred two days prior while driving from New Jersey to his home in Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Christopher C. Muenchen evaluated Mr. Carton and noted potential diagnoses including stroke and carotid artery stenosis but did not document any abnormalities regarding Mr. Carton's eyes or face despite a nurse noting facial swelling.
The plaintiffs allege that Dr. Muenchen administered Dexamethasone without proper documentation or exclusion of an infection, which led to Mr. Carton's condition worsening significantly overnight. The following morning, Mr. Carton woke up with his right eye massively swollen shut and was subsequently diagnosed with a severe infection by his ophthalmologist and later an oculoplastic surgeon.
The complaint states that due to the negligence of Dr. Muenchen and the failure of Jupiter Medical Center to provide competent care through their employed physician services, Mr. Carton lost vision in his right eye after undergoing surgery for suspected compartment syndrome which turned out not to be the cause.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses among other claims for both Richard A. Carton and Stella J. Carton who also claims loss of consortium due to her husband's injuries.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Gary M. Cohen and Eric T. Halsey from Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen P.A.
The Case Number is 502024CA007896XXXAMB Div: AH.