Family in Medical Malpractice Suit Awarded 1.7 Million Dollars

A widow has been awarded 1.7 million dollars in a medical malpractice action against her departed husband’s physician after he incorrectly diagnosed a heart valve problem as a torn muscle.

Gerard Heidt (42) of Billings, Montana, was a father of four who was known to have a minor heart condition. Apart from that, he was in general good health when visiting his physician in 2004 -, Dr. Faranak Argani of the Billings Clinic – complaining of a pain in his chest.

Dr. Argani misdiagnosed the pain as a torn muscle, when in fact Gerard was suffering from a leaky valve. Had Gerard been correctly diagnosed, he would have received a replacement heart valve. Instead Gerard was dead within a year, and the family claimed in their court action that he should have been referred to a heart specialist.

A jury at Yellowstone County Court found both Dr. Argani and the Billings Clinic guilty of negligence, determining that the death was entirely avoidable. They awarded Gerard’s widow, Amy, and her four children – one of whom suffers from learning difficulties – 1.6 million dollars for lost wages and a further 120,000 towards the children’s education.