Clarksburg Man Dies Due To Negligence

Mr. Colombo represented a Clarksburg family in a medical malpractice claim against two Emergency Department physicians practicing at United Hospital Center. The case involved a gentleman in his mid-50s who presented to the Emergency Department at United Hospital Center with weakness and symptoms consistent with a stroke, TIA (transient ischemic attack) or a heart related event. An electrocardiogram (EKG) was performed. The EKG was abnormal and consistent with ischemic heart disease and valvular heart disease. Unfortunately, the Emergency Room physician did not recognize the significance of the abnormal EKG and the potential for sudden cardiac death. The patient was simply sent home.

Approximately 8 weeks later the patient was working near his home and died from what was believed to be a heart attack. An autopsy was performed which confirmed significant coronary artery disease and confirmed a myocardial infarction as the cause of death.

Mr. Colombo was hired by the decedent’s family to prosecute a medical malpractice case. Mr. Colombo was able to establish that the Emergency room doctors should have recognized the abnormal EKG and recognize the potential for sudden cardiac death. Mr. Colombo argued that the client should have been admitted to the hospital, and a cardiologist should have been consulted. Had this been done, heart surgery including a repaired or replaced aortic valve with or without cardiac bypass surgery could have been completed which would have saved this man’s life. After a period of discovery a settlement was reached between the decedent’s family and employers of the Emergency Dept. physicians.

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