ClickCease Kaiser - Fatal Failure to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolus | Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger

Kaiser – Fatal Failure to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolus

Walkup attorneys obtained a confidential settlement on behalf of the siblings of a 49-year-old man who died as a result of undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism at Kaiser South San Francisco. The man had previously suffered a pulmonary embolism, and informed Kaiser of the history of pulmonary embolism when he reported to the emergency department at Kaiser South Francisco. In addition he presented with a heart rate of 120 and elevated pulse rate, shortness of breath and chest pain. Kaiser diagnosed asthmatic bronchitis despite the fact that the man had no history of asthma. He was given albuterol and no testing for pulmonary embolism was done. Walkup attorneys successfully argued that the man’s history of acute pulmonary embolism in conjunction with the man’s symptoms necessitated a differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.