A 55-year-old man fell while he was shopping and sustained a gash of several inches along his head. The father of two was taken by paramedics to the doctor where they glued his head and then discharged him. The next day, the man retuned in an agitated state and doctors had to sedate him in order to get a scan of his head.

The results of the scan were alarming and overdue. It appeared that the father had fractured his skull and consequently had bleeding of the brain. Due to a junior doctor error, the man was never x-rayed or scanned when he initially sought treatment.

This doctor error cost this poor gentleman his life as his heart stopped and he was pronounced dead. The man's father is rightfully upset. The father is quoted as saying, "It was a massive error of judgment to send him home. It was disgusting the way he was treated, and if a proper scan was just carried out this never would have happened."

The man was reportedly very focused on family and well loved. This family will likely have a tough time coping with their loss. Although the incident is being used by the hospital as a case study and reminder to get a second opinion, this may not be enough. This family could pursue compensation for the possible wrongful death of their beloved family member due to the doctor's error. Compensation could cover the funeral and burial expenses and possibly give the family some sense of justice.

Source: Recorder, "Hospital's massive error of judgment over my tragic son," Jacqueline McMillan, April 5, 2012