Medical issues can be serious. When one feels sick or is experiencing pain, it is assumed that after a trip to the doctor, one will probably know what is wrong as well as what needs to be done to take care of it. When a medical professional fails to recognize warning signs and diagnosis an issue, the outcome can lead to death.

This is exactly what happened to a 37-year-old man, in January 2003, who died after experiencing a heart attack. Just four days before he died, the man went to his family physician complaining of chest and jaw pain. He was also feeling anxious. Though the man had several risk factors including high blood pressure and cholesterol, a history of heart disease in his family and was overweight, he was sent home.

The day the man died he was still experiencing the same symptoms and had called and left a message for his doctor. Before the doctor was able to return his call, paramedics were already with him trying to revive him after he experienced cardiac arrest. Despite the paramedics’ efforts, the man died at work. An autopsy revealed heart damage that indicated the deceased likely had a heart attack within the days preceding his death.

His wife filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against several people including the family physician. In February 2009, a jury awarded his wife $4 million after finding the doctor negligent. Due to a delay in concluding the case, the judge also awarded her an additional $1.2 million in damages. This month, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld the award, totaling $5.2 million.

Source: Reading Eagle, “$5.2 million malpractice award against ex-Wyomissing doctor upheld,” Holly Herman, Aug. 20, 2011