$17 Million Award in Athlete's Death

November 1, 2004
The family of a Milwaukee high-school athlete who died in 1998 due to intestinal complications was awarded $17.4 million on Oct. 21, 2004 in a medical malpractice case.

However, the final amount will likely be closer to $26 million, according to Bill Cannon, attorney for the family of Sarah Hegarty. Interest will be added to the $17.4 million, since the Milwaukee County Circuit Court jury's award was higher than a 2000 settlement offer, he said.

Hegarty's death came after two years of digestive problems. She had a twist in her small intestine and because it wasn't treated in time, the blood supply to her small intestine was shut off and the organ withered inside her, Cannon said.

The lawsuit claimed her painful ordeal and death were the fault of doctors at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, who misdiagnosed her condition and gave her inadequate care.

The jury found an emergency-room doctor, Ernest Stremski, liable for one-fourth of the damages and another doctor, Angela Beauchaine, liable for the rest. The jury also found a third Children's Hospital doctor, Jane Balint, negligent in Hegarty's case but found that Balint did not contribute to the girl's injuries and death.

Total damages included $3.2 million in medical and burial expenses, $7 million for Hegarty's two years of pain and suffering, $7 million to her parents for coping with her illness for two years and a state-capped award of $150,000 to the parents for her death.

Hegarty had been a three-sport athlete at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. She achieved all-conference honors in soccer and was a starter on a state championship basketball team before she became ill.

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