Wrongful Death – Failure to Timely Diagnose And Treat Pulmonary Thromboembolism: Wilson v. Vlachos et al.

Sommers Schwartz attorneys  Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller filed a wrongful death action on behalf of a man who died due to pulmonary embolisms after numerous doctors failed to timely diagnosis and treat his deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.

According to the complaint, the decedent presented to the emergency room at the defendant hospital in May of 2017 complaining of chest pain and difficulty with breathing. He was also tachycardic. He was seen by the defendant ER physician, who diagnosed him with a virus, cough, and dehydration, and sent him home.

The following week, the decedent presented to the defendant urgent-care facility, complaining of chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and dry cough. He was also tachycardic. He was seen by the defendant urgent care doctor, who diagnosed him with pneumonia, prescribed antibiotics, and sent him home.

The next month, the decedent experienced shortness of breath and was taken by ambulance to the defendant hospital, where tests revealed he had numerous bilateral pulmonary embolisms. The decedent was then transferred to another hospital, where he experienced seizure-like activity that progressed to severe respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, permanent and severe brain damage, and death.

The lawsuit asserts various claims of medical malpractice against the multiple defendants, including allegations they failed to properly evaluate the decedent and diagnose and treat his deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms and that their failure to diagnose these conditions permitted the expansion of the thrombus and development of additional emboli, resulting in cardiac arrest, permanent and severe brain damage, and death. The lawsuit seeks damages for the decedent’s pain and suffering, wrongful death, and reasonable medical and funeral expenses, and compensation for the surviving family members’ loss of companionship.

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