Misdiagnosed Appendicitis Leads to Severe Injury
A Midland, Texas six-year-old suffered brain damage and an amputated leg after doctors misdiagnosed appendicitis, prompting a lawsuit, according to Frenkel & Frenkel.
After their child experienced permanent injuries due to repeated misdiagnosis in the emergency room, the parents of Hannah Hernandez filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland Pediatric Associates, Midland Emergency Management, and three individual doctors involved in her care.
Initial Symptoms and Failure to Diagnose
In July 2011, Hannah’s parents brought her to the emergency room at Midland Memorial with serious symptoms including abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and nausea. Despite being extremely ill, she was sent home after a blood test and diagnosed with a virus, dehydration, and fever. No imaging or further diagnostic steps were taken.
Over the following week, her parents made repeated visits to Midland Pediatrics as her condition continued to decline. Again, the illness was dismissed as dehydration rather than appendicitis.
Life-Threatening Emergency and Permanent Damage
On August 5, 2011, Hannah began vomiting blood. She was rushed back to the hospital where imaging was finally performed, revealing a ruptured appendix. She was airlifted to Lubbock for emergency surgery.
During surgery, doctors were forced to amputate her right leg to prevent rapid infection spread. Hannah also suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure, resulting in lifelong brain damage. Court filings state that if appendicitis had been identified earlier, both the brain injury and amputation could likely have been prevented.
Legal Action and Compensation Challenges
The Hernandez family is seeking compensation for more than $1.6 million in medical costs and an additional $40 million for lifetime care. However, Texas tort reform laws limit recoverable damages — with hospitals capped at $100,000 and physicians collectively limited to $250,000.
When Medical Errors Lead to Harm
When medical mistakes or delayed diagnosis contribute to severe injury or death, a medical malpractice claim may be appropriate.
Contact the Dallas-Fort Worth attorneys at Frenkel & Frenkel for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been impacted by medical negligence.