Family Sues Hospital for Malpractice

The family of a New York man who suffered a heart attack while waiting to be seen at the Maimonides Medical Center is suing for hospital malpractice and medical negligence.

Jacob Goldbrunner began experiencing chest pains and was taken to the hospital in July 2008 to undergo a procedure to assess and treat his heart disease called a cardiac catheterization.  While waiting to be seen, Goldbrunner’s family states that it became increasingly obvious that there were serious concerns with the medical facility and its staff.

Initially, the key to the lab could not be located.  The staff then had problems locating an anesthesiologist to prepare Mr. Goldbrunner for the test.  Perhaps most alarming is the family’s testimony that one staff member wasn’t even able to tell them where the lab was located within the hospital.

While waiting, Goldbrunner’s condition worsened yet nobody on staff was able to attend to him.  The Goldbrunners waited for five hours with no medical attention.  Goldbrunner then suffered a heart attack right in front of doctors and medical staff.

The family was even more dismayed when they were finally escorted to the lab area only to find out that the key had still not been located so the testing could not be done.  It is these delays and lack of care that the family claims ultimately caused Goldbrunner’s death.

As if the neglect and lack of medical attention weren’t enough, according to records, the medical staff finally attempted to treat Goldbrunner’s failing heart by inserting a tube meant to deliver oxygen to his heart and lungs.  The tube, which was supposed to be placed in the patient’s lung, was inserted into his stomach in error.

The situation turned tragic when Mr. Goldbrunner was sent to a different medical facility to undergo a critically needed heart transplant.  He arrived via ambulance, only to find out that the heart he’d been told would be waiting for him was not available.

Goldbrunner died two weeks later at the age of 52.

The family is currently awaiting a court date for their medical malpractice lawsuit.  Further information will be relayed once it becomes available.