Case Background
This legal battle began following the death of John R. Lawrence, who passed away on January 19, 2022. His son, Matthew J. Lawrence, acting as the Personal Representative of the Estate, initiated a medical malpractice lawsuit in the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County, Florida. The litigation focused on the medical care John Lawrence received just days before his death, specifically centered on the interpretation of diagnostic imaging that the family alleged could have prevented the fatal outcome.
Cause
The primary cause of the legal action involved a CT scan performed on January 15, 2022, at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. Dr. Eric H. Schallen, a radiologist, interpreted the scan. The Plaintiff alleged that Dr. Schallen failed to identify clear signs of a pseudo-obstruction, vascular compromise, and an imminent danger of bowel perforation. Because the doctor did not report these specific findings or recommend an immediate surgical consultation, the family claimed he missed a critical window for life-saving intervention.
Injury
John Lawrence suffered a bowel perforation and its resulting complications, known as sequelae. These medical issues directly led to his death on January 19, 2022, four days after the CT scan in question was performed.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiff sought damages exceeding $75,000 for the Estate and the survivors. The primary survivor, Susan Lawrence (John’s widow), sought compensation for the loss of her husband’s support and services from the date of his injury through the future. She also pursued damages for the loss of his companionship and protection, along with the mental pain and suffering she endured. Additionally, the Estate sought recovery for medical and funeral expenses and the loss of John Lawrence's potential earnings.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The proceedings evolved as the parties clarified the professional relationships and the specific roles of the medical providers involved. The case initially targeted the hospital and the radiology group under theories of vicarious liability, asserting that these entities were responsible for the actions of the individual doctor.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Matthew J. Lawrence, as Personal Representative of the Estate of John R. Lawrence.
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Seth A. Pajcic | Phillippe Mario R Reid, Jr | Franklin Duke Regan
· Experts for Plaintiff(s): David B. Feinbloom | Stuart I. Finkel | Peter J. Julien | Arnold L. Lentnek | Craig H. Lichtblau | I. Michael Leitman
Defendant(s): Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida, Inc. (d/b/a Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville) | Mori, Bean & Brooks, Inc | Eric H. Schallen, M.D. Later proceedings and the verdict form also included Baptist Primary Care, Inc., Delia Cucoranu, M.D., and Ramon Dizon, M.D.
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Michael Houston Harmon | Clayton M Williams | Davis Christopher Love
· Experts for Defendant(s): James Noble | Theresa M. Cuoco | Vince Faridani | Andrew Duffy | Robert A. Ganz | Rafael Aponte-Lopez | William Barlow | Traci Bragg | Delia Cucoranu | Ramon Dizon | Bharat Gummadi | Eric Schallen | | Mark Diebel | Donald G. Mitchell | Richard M. Gore | Ian M. Paquette | Keith Barclay Armitage | Daniel Joseph Brotman | Steven M. Day | Robert R. Edelman
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
The Plaintiff’s counsel argued that the standard of care required a radiologist to do more than just view an image; it required them to accurately interpret life-threatening conditions and communicate those risks to the treating surgical team. They contended that the death was entirely preventable had the CT scan been read correctly.
Claims
The Complaint raised three primary counts. Count I alleged direct negligence against Dr. Schallen for his failure to interpret and report the CT scan findings properly. Count II alleged vicarious liability against Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida, Inc., arguing that because Dr. Schallen acted within the scope of his relationship with the hospital, the hospital bore legal responsibility for his errors. Count III made an identical vicarious liability claim against Mori, Bean & Brooks, Inc., the radiology group that employed or engaged the doctor.
Defense
Dr. Schallen and his legal team filed an answer that denied any deviation from the prevailing professional standard of care. They admitted he interpreted the CT scan but maintained that his work met all medical requirements. The defense also introduced several affirmative defenses, suggesting that the injuries might have been caused by other persons or entities beyond Dr. Schallen's control. They further argued that an independent intervening cause, rather than the doctor’s interpretation of the scan, might have led to Mr. Lawrence’s death.
Jury Verdict
The trial concluded in February 2026. The final verdict form presented to the jury focused on the roles of Dr. Delia Cucoranu and Dr. Ramon Dizon in the death of John Lawrence.
The jury reached a definitive conclusion regarding the liability of the medical providers. They determined whether negligence on the part of Dr. Cucoranu or Dr. Dizon acted as a legal cause of Mr. Lawrence’s death. Upon finding negligence, the jury was tasked with apportioning the percentage of fault between these two doctors, ensuring the total equaled 100%.
For the survivors, the jury assessed the total financial value of the damages sustained by Susan Lawrence. This included specific amounts for the loss of her husband's companionship and the mental pain and suffering she had endured in the past, as well as what she would likely endure in the future. The foreperson signed the final verdict on February 13, 2026, officially closing this chapter of the litigation.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
