James Campbell represented a husband and wife after a series of preventable medical errors left the husband permanently paralyzed and ultimately led to his death.

The client had a known spinal condition that required strict precautions during any movement or imaging. His treating physicians issued clear orders that his spine had to be stabilized at all times.

Despite those orders—and repeated warnings from his wife—the medical team proceeded with imaging without proper spinal precautions. During that process, the client suffered catastrophic spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Paraplegia is not just a life-altering injury. It often leads to serious complications, including infections, loss of mobility, and significantly shortened life expectancy. In this case, those complications ultimately contributed to the client's death.

The case became more complex when the client passed away during litigation. Under Arizona law, that would normally limit certain damages. However, the claim proceeded under the Arizona Adult Protective Services Act (APSA), which allowed recovery for the client's pain and suffering prior to death.

This case highlights a common issue in medical malpractice cases: failure to follow basic safety protocols, even when the risks are known and documented.

Hospitals and providers are required to follow physician orders and protect vulnerable patients from preventable harm. When those safeguards are ignored, the consequences can be devastating.

Do you have a case where a medical professional failed to prevent harm to you or a loved one?