June 28, 2012

A Pennsylvania jury recently awarded the family of a man, who died after his heart condition was misdiagnosed at a local hospital, one of the largest sums of money ever given as damages for Pennsylvania medical malpractice. According to The Wall Street Journal, the damages given to the family was $6.4 million.

In the spring of 2009, the 38-year-old victim was playing basketball outside when he suddenly collapsed and went unconscious. He was taken to a local hospital where he complained of chest pains and other heart attack symptoms. With no other testing, doctors diagnosed his condition as pneumonia and sent him home with Motrin and an antibiotic.

In late summer of the same year, the man collapsed again after another heart attack while playing basketball. He remained at the hospital in a coma until he died in the fall of 2009.

The family then filed the wrongful death lawsuit for their loved one and was awarded $5.5 million for “the loss of guidance, tutelage and moral upbringing.” The other $900,000 was given to cover the man’s medical expenses and court costs. Attorneys for the family commented on the case by saying the family “…would gladly give the money back for more time with their dad.”

The Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law hope that the recent decision will help the family find peace, comfort, and closure for the death of their loved one.