Lawyers at DBMS successfully litigate a wide variety of civil cases and argue appeals in some of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country.
Rivera v. Defendant Physician
Defendant Physician
Outcome:Defense Verdict
Plaintiff alleged that an emergency room physician failed to diagnose and treat acute coronary syndrome and a myocardial infarction.
The patient had presented to the emergency room with stabbing back pain and hypotension, and was thought to be having an aortic dissection or a pulmonary embolus. The patient was also tested for MI, with nonspecific results. The patient was admitted and died shortly thereafter.
At autopsy, the right coronary artery was found to be completely blocked.
Plaintiff contended that more aggressive testing should have been done. Alternatively, the plaintiff argued that the patient should have been transferred to a hospital where immediate catheterization could have proceeded. Plaintiff asked the jury for $1.7 million in damages.
The defense successfully argued that the testing done in the emergency room was adequate and that all necessary consultations were requested.