San Joaquin County is paying one family $650,000 to settle a lawsuit that claims their loved one died as a result of medical malpractice at San Joaquin General Hospital.
On Nov. 14, 2022, Stockton resident Dwight Mitchell was admitted to San Joaquin General Hospital following a car accident. Two days later, he died from intracranial hemorrhage and other injuries, according to the lawsuit.
Mitchell’s family filed the medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit against the county in October 2023, claiming Mitchell was discharged from the hospital before doctors could perform appropriate diagnostic testing and imaging to determine the presence of bleeding in his brain.
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The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved the six-figure settlement at the Tuesday, Oct. 8 meeting.
A spokesperson for the county released the following statement to The Record after the vote:
“The county is pleased that the case was resolved without the need for further litigation. In reaching the settlement, the county admitted no wrongdoing but acknowledges that litigation can be costly and extremely taxing on those involved in the process. Reaching resolution will allow all parties to move forward.”