When ill or injured patients who seek medical attention rightfully expect doctors and hospital staff will provide proper medical care. Ultimately, it is the hospital's responsibility to ensure their medical staff follow protocol and provide optimal patient care. Hospital negligence can lead to patients suffering severe or even fatal injuries.

The family of a 38-year-old man who recently died of a heart attack is suing the hospital at which he sought medical care. The man went to the hospital's emergency room complaining of chest pains. While there, hospital staff took the man's vitals and performed medical tests including an electrocardiogram.

According to the lawsuit filed by the man's family, the EKG reading pointed to health indicators that were "consistent with an impending cardiac event". Despite the alarming EKG reading, however, the man was released and hospital staff advised he schedule a follow-up appointment with his cardiologist.

Upon being released from the hospital, the man went to the ER lobby to wait for a ride. It was while sitting in the lobby that the man apparently suffered a heart attack and died. Hospital staff did not find the man until the next morning. By the time he was discovered, he had been dead long enough for signs of rigor mortis to set in.

The man's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in which they claim the hospital's negligent acts lead to the death of their loved one. Based on the man's symptoms and the results of medical tests, his family contends the hospital and medical staff should have admitted the man rather than release him.

Source: NBC 10 Philadelphia, "Family Sues Hospital After Man Dies in ER Lobby," David Chang, Sept. 21, 2012