Silver Golub & Teitell Files Lawsuit After Untreated Appendicitis Causes Injury to Mother and Death of Her Twins

November 12, 2024

The law firm Silver Golub & Teitell has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the mother and father of twins who died when doctors failed to properly diagnose and treat the mother’s appendicitis. The negligence caused an overwhelming septic infection, the death of the twins and injury to the mother.

Johanna Navarrete arrived at Stamford Hospital’s Emergency Department on October 30, 2023, with abdominal pain, vomiting and other symptoms of appendicitis. At the time, Ms. Navarrete, 33, was pregnant with twins Johan and Johany Rojas, who had a gestational age of approximately 18 weeks.

“Shockingly, the Stamford Hospital’s gynecology service did not order radiological imaging to rule out appendicitis nor did they properly evaluate her clinical condition,” said Silver Golub & Teitell partner Richard Silver. She was discharged the following day, even though she continued to suffer from classic signs of appendicitis, including flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and a significantly elevated white blood cell count.

Two days later, on November 2, 2023, Ms. Navarrete returned to the hospital with a raging infection and other symptoms consistent with a ruptured appendix, necessitating a 14-day hospitalization and life-saving interventions. She went into preterm labor, causing the death of her twins at a gestational age of approximately 29 weeks.

“Stamford Health negligently failed to identify and treat Ms. Navarrete’s appendicitis, directly causing the deaths of Johan and Johany Rojas,” said Silver Golub & Teitell partner Sean McElligott, who represents the parents along with Mr. Silver.

The lawsuit was brought by Ms. Navarrete against Stamford Health for the significant injuries to herself and as the administrator of the estates of her twins. It was filed in Connecticut Superior Court in the Stamford/Norwalk judicial district.