Jury awards man $18.4 million in damages after doctors refused to test him for HIV
Sean Stentiford thought he was tested but his HIV diagnosis progressed in Aids
By Steve Brown
A jury has awarded $18.4 million in damages to a man who claims his doctors failed to test him for HIV, which later developed into Aids.
Sean Stentiford, 48, who is gay, worked as a paramedic earlier in his life and his lawyer David Angueira claimed his risk of being infected was higher due to the handling of bodily fluids.
Back in 2007 he consented to have a HIV test but he claimed the doctors never performed one, the Boston Globe reported.
Three years later, another doctor recommended the test which came back positive and the infection had progressed to Aids, causing him to have brain damage and ended his career as a lawyer.
Angueira said: “He had a brilliant future in front of him. They literally cut the legs out from under him.
“He lost his job. He lost his career. He lost his life.”
During the eight-day trial in Boston, the jury found the two doctors neglected caring for him and caused him injury, court records show.
The jury were also shown the consent form for HIV testing that Stentiford had signed back in 2007 in the presence of his sister.
Stentiford agreed to the testing when a resident told him his symptoms were “highly suggestive of HIV infection”.
However, neurologist Kinan Hreib disagreed and cancelled the test but never told Stentiford.
It was only when he visited the office of internist Stephen Southard he was told his tests “looked good” with Stentiford believing that including the HIV test.
Three years later, his conditioned worsened as he learned he was not tested for HIV back in 2007 and did actually have the virus.
Now, the jury has awarded him $18.4 million in damages.