We recently settled a case involving a nine-year-old girl who was taken to a government-subsidized medical clinic. She was seen by a physician’s assistant. She had classic appendicitis symptoms which the PA totally missed: periumbilical abdominal pain, diffuse abdominal tenderness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and an elevated pulse rate (tachycardia). The PA didn’t order labs, did not order an ultrasound or a CT scan, and did not refer the child to a surgeon. He did not send her to the hospital. Our client’s appendix ruptured a day or two after this visit. She developed peritonitis and severe sepsis. By the time she got to the hospital, she was in septic shock. Tragically, although our client survived the surgery, she went on to develop bacterial meningitis and multiorgan failure. She was in the ICU for several days when her arms and legs became weak. She was ultimately diagnosed with critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy. She will spend the…
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