The child was diagnosed with constipation and sent home from the hospital. Earlier, while playing on a playground, he was injured when he ran into a pole. He fell down and hurt his back. He was taken to a hospital, where he complained of back and abdominal pains. A nurse who saw the 6-year-old noted that he was pale and writhing.
The doctor who examined the boy considered the possibility that he might have internal injuries. He was given some pain-relieving medication. An X-ray, a blood test and a liver test were ordered and carried out. Tests showed that the boy was indeed constipated and that his white blood cell count was high. A nurse at the hospital treated him with anti-nausea drugs and at least one enema.
After that, the 6-year-old was discharged from the hospital. Four hours later, he died.
The boy’s parents have brought a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor and two medical facilities. According to the lawsuit, the defendants misdiagnosed and failed to properly treat the now-deceased child.
An autopsy revealed that the boy’s injuries were far more serious than the condition with which he was diagnosed. One of his kidneys had been lacerated. His chest wall was lacerated. His other kidney, his pancreas, his stomach — all had been damaged. He suffered hemorrhaging.
According to the lawsuit, the treatment for constipation masked the real internal problems that should have been noticed and addressed.
Now a mother and father are left to grieve the loss of their 6-year-old boy.
Our medical malpractice website has more on proving medical negligence.
Source: Dallas Business Journal, “Children’s Medical, UT Southwestern named in malpractice suit after 6-year-old boy dies,” Bill Hethcock, Feb. 24, 2014
