Anonymous Client v. Unnamed Hospital and Unnamed Physicians and their Medical Groups/Employers/Principals:
(Failure to Diagnose a Life-Threatening Kidney Condition)

Case Facts: Plaintiff, an 18 year old young man, alleges that the Hospital and its medical personnel failed to properly diagnose and treat him on two separate occasions. We allege on his behalf that the health care providers responsible for his treatment misdiagnosed client’s life-threatening condition (renal failure) as a simple urinary tract infection. The events forming the basis of this lawsuit occurred during the summer of 2005.

At the time of the first visit on June 2, 2005, this young man, then a minor, was taken to the hospital by his mother with complaints of blood in his urine. His urinalysis revealed gross hematuria and proteinuria. During the course of this visit, he received medical care from a nurse, and other healthcare providers who were employees and/or real and/or ostensible or apparent agents of Defendant Hospital. We further allege that the physician assigned to his care was also an employee and/or agent of an emergency medical services group. Our client was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and sent home with antibiotics.

On July 27, 2005, our young client was brought by his mother once again to the same Emergency Department of the Defendant Hospital complaining of blood in his urine, right flank pain, fever, and sore throat. A urinalysis showed worsening hematuria and proteinuria, and anemia. During this visit, he was examined and treated by other hospital health care providers, who have also been named as defendants in this lawsuit.

A urology consult was obtained over the telephone from one of the Defendant Physicians and our client was once again discharged home with antibiotics. No in-person evaluation and/or examination by a nephrologist (kidney specialist) or urologist was obtained regarding client’s kidney symptoms and test results.

Approximately two years later, on or about May 28, 2007, Client again presented at the Emergency Room of the Hospital with complaints of hemoptysis (spitting up blood) of recent origin. In the Emergency Room, laboratory tests revealed renal failure, congestive heart failure/pulmonary edema, respiratory distress due to fluid overload, severe anemia and hypertensive urgency. It was noted by physicians caring for this young man at that time that Client had been doing reasonably well until “just a few weeks” before the May 28, 2007 presentation when he experienced flu-like symptoms.

The Discovery: On May 28, 2007, Client was admitted to the ICU and ultimately placed on continuous renal replacement dialysis. He was in frank renal failure as his kidneys were no longer working.

A renal biopsy revealed the presence of late-stage IgA nephropathy (kidney disease) of severe chronicity requiring hemodialysis three times per week. It was too late to initiate steroid therapy or other anti-inflammatory treatment, as Client’s kidney disease had progressed too long without treatment and had reached the point of irreversible renal failure.

We allege multiple violations of the standard of care by multiple health care providers, who had been responsible for properly diagnosing, treating and/or consulting in the care of our client.

The Damages: Based on the voluminous medical records of the care this young man has received over the last couple of years, we allege that our client, has suffered serious permanent and disabling bodily injuries, including but not limited to, kidney damage, visual impairment, severe neurologic damage; seizures, and other related disabilities, all of which have in the past necessitated, and will in the future necessitate, expenses for medical care and evaluations, therapies, special functional equipment, dialysis, surgery, and attendant care.

We further allege that as a further direct result of the negligence of these Defendants, our client will suffer in the future loss of earnings and impairment and diminution of his earnings capacity; and he has in the past and will suffer in the future the inability to lead a normal life, all of which is permanent. Furthermore, it is alleged that as a direct result of the negligence of these health care providers, Client has in the past and will in the future endure pain, suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, scarring and humiliation, all of which are permanent

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The above “Cases in Suit” represent a sampling of the types of cases being handled by the lawyers and professional staff of Nash & Associates. Each case varies not only in the facts but also in terms of the jurisdictions in which they are litigated as well as many other intangible factors. We will continue to give you further examples of our cases, which we hope may be of interest to you.