Many parents in Hawaii understand what it’s like to have a sick child. Some have also had the frustrating experience of taking children to a hospital for care only to be sent home without concrete answers as to what is causing their child’s illness. For one set of parents in another state, this type of situation led to tragedy. They have since filed a lawsuit against all parties they believe guilty of negligence.
Sadly, the couple’s 11-month-old son died as a result of a string of medical incidents. It began in September 2015 when they took the child to a hospital because of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. The mother said he was unable to keep any food down at all.
After being examined by an emergency room doctor, the parents were told the child appeared to be suffering from some sort of virus. They were further instructed to take him home and follow up with their family doctor if he did not get better soon. The boy’s mother was extremely upset at being sent home without clear answers regarding their son’s apparently serious medical condition.
She requested further testing be done to form a more accurate diagnosis. Her requests were denied. Tragically, the child died as a result of septic shock caused by a very common, highly treatable pediatric intestinal problem that likely would have been diagnosed if further testing had been done when the mother requested it. In Hawaii and all other states, parents may act on behalf of their deceased child to seek accountability against those whose negligence is deemed to be the cause of their son or daughter’s death.
Source: citizensvoice.com, “Parents sue hospitals, ambulance company over baby’s death“, James Halpin, Dec. 2, 2016