Florida Court Upholds $33 Million Wrongful Death Award Against Walgreens

An appeals court has upheld a decision on behalf of the family of a cancer patient who was given a wrong prescription at a Walgreens pharmacy, had a stroke and died several years later.

Walgreens had appealed the jury’s decision. On Feb. 26, the Second District Court of Appeal found the lower court handled the case appropriately and awarded the family $33.3 million.

Beth Hippely was prescribed blood thinner Warfarin in 2002 to treat breast cancer. Court documents say the prescription filled at the pharmacy was 10 times her prescription.

A jury later found the error caused a cerebral hemorrhage resulting in permanent bodily injury, disability and physical pain. She died at 46.

In an e-mail, a Walgreens spokeswoman said the company couldn’t comment on the case.