The case of the missed heart attack
One evening, Rudy felt pain and a burning sensation in his chest. He went to the local hospital to be evaluated. The emergency doctor told Rudy he had indigestion and sent him home with instructions to see his family doctor the next day. Rudy went to his family doctor the next day. The family doctor requested a copy of the test results from the emergency room and sent Rudy home telling him he would call him after he reviewed the test results. At home, Rudy suddenly died. Rudy's family was unable to get answers from the hospital and asked The Girards Law Firm for help. The Girards Law Firm investigated and discovered that the testing done at the emergency showed Rudy was in the process of having a heart attack while in the emergency room. He should never have been sent home in the first place. The Girards Law Firm proved to a jury the malpractice that had occurred and obtained a jury verdict for Rudy's family. The case was subsequently settled for an amount twice that of the available insurance coverage under the Texas Stower's Doctrine.
This case resulted in entry of a judgment of approximately $3.5 million against the physician. The case was later settled for $2 million, despite the available insurance coverage of $1 million.
