Illinois residents may be interested in a medical malpractice case currently underway in another state. Reports indicated that the case involves parents whose 10-year-old son died after the failure to diagnose his ailment reportedly resulted in his being prematurely discharged from the emergency room. The parents had taken the boy to the hospital after he was having difficulty breathing and did not response to treatments provided by his pediatrician.
The boy’s hospital records show that he had a fever, high heart rate and obvious signs of breathing difficulty. It was unclear what treatment the boy may have received while at the ER, but he was later discharged. While he and his father were at a drug store filling a prescription, the boy went into respiratory arrest. This event occurred less than an hour after his discharge.
The boy suffered brain damage and died as a result of the situation. His parents believe that the hospital, a doctor and a nurse were all negligent in the treatment of their son, and they have filed a lawsuit. The family’s attorney stated that the boy’s condition could have been treated if he had been properly diagnosed.
As this case shows, failure to diagnose a medical issue correctly could have devastating results. The loss of a young child or any family member can have lasting impacts, and Illinois residents who have been negatively affected in such a way due to medical mistakes may wish to explore their legal options. Speaking with experienced medical malpractice attorneys could allow them to better understand what steps they can take.
Source: englewoodherald.net, “Family of boy who died sues Swedish“, Kyle Harding, Dec. 22, 2016