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Hospital death brings $3.5 million jury award Originally published January 26, 2006 A Baltimore jury awarded $3.5 million yesterday to the family of a man who is alleged to have died from a bacterial infection at University of Maryland Medical Center, according to the plaintiff's lawyers. Angel Mendoza, 26, was admitted to the hospital Sept. 22, 2002, with a blood disorder, his family's lawyer said. He died a week later from another infection contracted in the hospital and never discovered by doctors, according to attorney Peter Rubin. The trial lasted eight days, and the jury deliberated two hours before reaching a verdict yesterday. Lawyers for the hospital and the two doctors on the case argued at trial that Mendoza died from complications related to his blood ailment, according to Rubin. "We are very surprised and disappointed with the verdict because the evidence did not support the plaintiff's allegations," the hospital said in a statement last night. "Mr. Mendoza received outstanding care. We plan to appeal." The total award is likely to be reduced because it is subject to medical malpractice caps in Maryland.
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