Would an ounce of prevention have saved this man's life?
Situation:
Would an ounce of prevention have saved this man's life?
A 66 yr old man entered a hospital with complaints of severe chest pain. He was discharged without tests being performed to determine whether his coronary arteries were blocked. The tests were not approved by the patient’s insurance company while he was in the hospital because they could be performed more cheaply on an out-patient basis.
The cardiologist, who had known the patient for years had performed an angiogram on the patient 4 years earlier, due to coronary blockage, went along with the insurance company’s recommendation. The patient was discharged at 5 pm, went directly home, and died of a heart attack at 7 pm.
Successful Resolution: $600,000
An autopsy revealed his main left descending coronary artery was 95 % occluded (blocked). Our trial lawyers were able to settle the case for $600,000 without trial.
