Judge Orders University of Washington to Pay $15M in Medical Lawsuit

A judge has awarded $15 million to the family of an 8-year-old girl who was left with permanent brain damage after taking a nasal decongestant recommended by a University of Washington doctor at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The family of MacKenzie Briant sued the university and hospital in 2011 in King County Superior Court, alleging negligence. The judge decided the case Friday in Seattle.

KIRO reports MacKenzie had undergone a heart transplant as an infant. When she had a stuffy nose four years ago, she was given a dose of Afrin at the direction of a cardiologist. It caused cardiac arrest, depriving her brain of oxygen.

Another doctor had said MacKenzie should not be given Afrin because it could cause heart problems.

The Sammamish girl now requires around-the-clock nursing care.