The plaintiffs brought a medical malpractice action following the death of a 22-year-old man from an aortic dissection six days after he was treated and discharged from an emergency department.
The plaintiffs alleged the emergency physician breached the standard of care by failing to properly review the chart, taking a substandard history, and failing to consider cardiovascular diseases in his differential diagnosis.
The court found that the physician met the standard of care, as the patient's presentation was consistent with a musculoskeletal injury and the likelihood of an aortic dissection in a healthy 22-year-old was exceedingly rare.
The court also found that causation was not proven.
The action was dismissed.
