Missouri residents may be interested in hearing about how a recent alleged misdiagnosis of a man’s condition led to health concerns and a lawsuit. The man’s wife scheduled an appointment for the man at a clinic, where his primary care physician and nurse practitioner worked, after he had suffered from hiccupping, nausea and pain in the abdominal area for 24 hours. An appointment was schedule for two days later, but the doctor asked the patient to pick up and take an acid reflux medicine. Although he did as asked by the medical professional, the patient asserts he had never been diagnosed with acid reflux in the past. This was the beginning of what the man and wife have alleged as a misdiagnosis.
The next day the patient’s wife called the clinic requesting that the nurse practitioner call her back because her husband was not getting any better. However, that call was never made. During the appointment the next day, the patient reported that his symptoms had only worsened. Allegedly, the nurse practitioner did not perform any kind of inspection or examination on him, nor was he allowed to see a doctor.
Three days later, the patient went to the emergency room because his condition had not improved. It was at this time that it was determined his appendix had ruptured. This led to an emergency surgery and two weeks in the hospital.
The possible misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose this man’s appendicitis resulted in his appendix rupturing, causing internal twisting of his intestines, surgery and a hospital stay. As anyone in the same situation could do, he has filed a medical malpractice claim against the nurse practitioner, the clinic and the hospital and is seeking various fiscal damages, including emotional distress, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. Missouri victims of medical malpractice have legal options that can be explored.
Source: The Louisiana Record, “Nurse practitioner and clinic sued for allegedly misdiagnosing man’s appendicitis”, Kyle Barnett, May 7, 2014