Doctors to pay $4 million for misdiagnosing heart problems as flu bug

A jury has awarded an Alabama woman $4 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit alleging that her husband died because doctors misdiagnosed symptoms of a heart attack for a stomach illness.

The verdict was reached after a seven-day trial and is believed to be the largest ever for a medical malpractice case in Walker County, Alabama.

In the lawsuit, Donna Hallmark alleged that her husband, Terry Hallmark, 40, began feeling sick to his stomach after eating breakfast on the morning of Jan. 11, 2008.

Still feeling ill two days later, he went to the Walker Baptist Medical Center complaining of signs and symptoms of heart trouble, including chest pain. Yet, he was released from the emergency room less than five hours later.

Several days later, he was rushed to the hospital after clutching his chest in pain. He could not be revived.

The suit alleged that doctors were negligent because they never ordered blood tests for cardiac damage or ischemia that could have led to the correct diagnosis and prevented the death.

Ross Feller Casey, a Philadelphia personal injury law firm with a national reputation, has successfully litigated all types of medical malpractice lawsuits, including some of the largest wrongful death cases in Pennsylvania and the nation.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of medical negligence, you may be entitled to substantial compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. But your time may be limited. Contact our dedicated team of medical malpractice lawyers now for a free consultation.

To learn more, go to rossfellercasey.com/practice-areas/medical-malpractice/