The man went to a hospital ER on December 28, 2019, complaining of 10 out of 10 abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, profuse sweating, and other symptoms of distress…medicalmalpracticelawyers, $1.4M Virginia Medical Malpractice Verdict For Missed Ulcer Diagnosis In ER, Leading To Death
He was seen by a physician’s assistant (PA) who ordered lab work, IV fluids, and Zofran. He was sent to the main ER for evaluation by the defendant ER physician, who documented that he performed a complete physical examination (which the man’s girlfriend denied) and noted that his examination of the man’s abdomen was normal.
The ER physician failed to order imaging or obtain a surgical consult before arriving at his diagnosis that the man had nausea and vomiting “of uncertain etiology.” The ER physician allegedly discharged the man before the lab results came back, which reportedly were abnormal. The ER physician denied knowing that the man reported 8 out of 10 pain at the time of discharge.
Approximately 10 hours after he was discharged from the hospital, the man collapsed on his girlfriend’s floor and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be a perforated duodenal ulcer.