A chicken farmer when asked by a physician’s nurse “Do you have any allergies?” replied “no.” After examination, the physician ordered an injection of penicillin. The patient immediately suffered respiratory obstruction. He sued the physician after recovery. The patient claimed that he thought the nurse’s question pertained to hay fever and animals. He said she did not make it clear what she was talking about and he was not told he was being given penicillin.
The doctor’s insurance settled out of court.
In another suit involving penicillin a patient died in the doctor’s office because the doctor did not have any equipment to handle a severe reaction. This case was indefensible and a sizable settlement was paid by the doctor – who was not insure.