Case Study: A Fatal Case of Hospital Neglect

Some tragedies are entirely preventable. 

William was a young man in his late twenties who had been battling alcoholism for many years. His addiction was so severe that he developed cirrhosis of the liver and died before he turned 30. While his addiction issues rendered him in a poor physical state, the addiction was ultimately not what killed him; a series of medical errors did. No one – no matter who they are – deserves to have their life cut short by medical negligence.

One night, after he had engaged in some drinking, William experienced shortness of breath and visited an emergency room. The medical team focused on treating him for alcohol withdrawal, not recognizing the severity of his condition. They administered Ativan (lorazepam), a common sedative, often used in situations of alcohol withdrawal. But this was not what he needed. 

His medical team failed to realize that he was suffering from decreased liver function, and he was becoming more hypoxic, or losing oxygen, with each passing moment. The team should have recognized the signs of fluid buildup in his lungs, known as pulmonary edema. Instead, they continued to treat him as just another alcoholic experiencing withdrawal.

The man was restless and agitated, and was exhibiting critical signs of pulmonary edema. What he needed was Lasix (furosemide), a drug that treats fluid retention in the lungs. But instead, his medical team administered more fluids, which only made his condition worse.

The medical team then made another grave error:  They didn’t perform a pulmonary workup, EKG, or proper assessment of his vitals. They also failed to listen to his labored breathing, and they never questioned why he was becoming increasingly hypoxic. Instead, while his life was slipping away, they treated him as if his condition were nothing more than alcohol withdrawal. 

If any of the proper precautions had been taken, the man’s pulmonary edema would have been properly diagnosed, and what happened next could have been avoided. 

The doctors failed to realize that even with the four liters of oxygen they administered, he was only at 87% oxygen saturation. Essentially, instead of drying out his lungs, they flooded them by giving him fluids, ultimately leading him to tragically pass away. The medical team’s negligence was palpable, and the outcome was heart-wrenching.

When his case came to me, I was determined to seek justice on the young man’s behalf. To prepare, I delved deep into his medical history and the sequence of events on that tragic night. What I had suspected was true:  The signs of pulmonary edema should have been unmistakable. His rapid, shallow breathing, restlessness, and hypoxia all pointed to a dangerous fluid buildup in his lungs. Yet the medical team failed to properly identify his condition, focusing instead on their mistaken theory of alcohol withdrawal. 

I filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital because these errors in care were not just minor mistakes; they were critical failures that directly contributed to the young man’s death. The more I learned, the more it became evident that this was a case of gross negligence. The doctors and nurses involved had treated him based on incorrect assumptions rather than through a thorough medical evaluation.

When the time came to negotiate a settlement, I knew the case’s economic value was limited, in large part because he had no dependents who relied on him. Nonetheless, I was able to settle the case for $185,000, an amount that would have been much higher if the man had had dependents (economic loss is a significant factor in wrongful death cases). 

Established procedures are supposed to protect patients, but unfortunately, they are not always followed. When medical procedures and protocols are not adhered to, patients suffer. And when patients suffer, they or their families deserve justice and compensation. If you or your family has suffered due to the errors of medical staff, hiring a personal injury attorney is vital to ensure you receive justice.

This case has stayed with me as a reminder of the critical importance of diligence in medical care and of prioritizing medical facts over assumptions. The tragedy of this young man’s death is a testament to how the skill and vigilance of medical staff can be the difference between life and a preventable death.