Federal Government Agrees to $750,000 Payment in Malpractice Suit

The U.S. government will pay $750,000 to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit brought by the family of a woman who died after eight surgeries in just over a month in 2005.

Betty Jean Plato, 76, arrived with stomach pain at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station’s emergency room, and later died of a blood infection.

The Middleburg woman’s family accused the Navy of improper evaluation, poor care and failure to transfer her to a more appropriate facility.

Justice Department attorneys and Plato’s family told a court-appointed mediator of the settlement Wednesday.

Five pending lawsuits in other cases still remain against the Jacksonville hospital in U.S. District Court.

Information from: The Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com