Settlement Reached for Fatal Discharge of Patient

July 1, 2013 | Crandall & Pera Law
Settlement Reached for Fatal Discharge of Patient

A decision made at a local Cincinnati hospital to discharge a brain injury patient who died the next morning will now cost the facility $500,000 in a settlement with the patient's family. 

The 23-year-old patient was diagnosed with a skull fracture and a subarachnoid hemorrhage and transferred to the University of Cincinnati Hospital Medical Center in December 2006, where his brain injuries were evaluated. Doctors gave him a prescription for a pain reliever and instructed him to follow up two weeks later if necessary; he died the next morning from his brain injury.

In February 2012, the Court of Claims found "the care and treatment [the patient] received in the ER at University Hospital fell below the standard of care." A wrongful death suit was filed against the hospital by the patient's father in December 2008 seeking damages for the loss of support from expected earnings, loss of companionship, care and guidance, loss of services, mental anguish, and other losses. Read the full story here:

Hospital to pay family of man who died day after discharge

If you believe a hospital has not sufficiently evaluated you or a loved one, ask to be admitted and evaluated further. Unfortunately, sometimes doctors discharge patients before they have performed all of the necessary testing and, as a result, life threatening diagnoses are missed.  Never be afraid to be an advocate for yourself or a loved one.

If you or a family member believe you have a medical malpractice case, including errors or delay in diagnosis, contact Crandall & Pera Law today for a free case evaluation. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.