According to reports, the incident began when the man was struck by a stray bullet after a gunfight broke out between others nearby. He was rushed to the emergency room shortly thereafter, and his family states that medical professionals determined that an emergency procedure was necessary to repair the damage. While the on-call surgeon was notified of the situation, the lawsuit states that this surgeon was already performing an operation and asked staff to call someone else.
Hospital staff was reportedly unable to locate another surgeon, and two additional attempts to bring in the doctor on the call were met with the same result. After being left alone without the necessary treatment for more than two hours, the man passed away. During recent legal proceedings, a jury reportedly ruled the hospital was negligent and awarded his surviving family members a substantial monetary judgment.
Delays in medical care can have disastrous results, especially for those suffering from severe injuries. Families who lose a loved one under similar circumstances could choose to speak with an attorney for guidance on their available options for legal recourse. An attorney can evaluate the situation thoroughly and assist a client in Tennessee in pursuing the full amount of compensation entitled through a medical malpractice claim.