Osteoporosis

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CASE: Osteoporosis

FACTS: This medical negligence case concerns the care provided by the defendant internist and geriatrician to the male plaintiff from age 64 to age 68. During that period of time the plaintiff was suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis. Those diseases are easily diagnosable and treatable; however, the defendant assumed that the recurring back pain the plaintiff was experiencing were solely related to muscle strains and it was either not necessary to obtain and review emergency room x-ray reports, or that any abnormalities included in such reports were unrelated to osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Had the defendant doctor included those diseases within his differential diagnosis, he could have ordered a bone scan to rule them out, or he could have requested a copy of the x-ray reports, including one that disclosed spinal compression fractures and generalized osteopenia. Because the defendant failed to take those steps, the plaintiff’s osteoporosis went undiagnosed and untreated for over four years.

DEFENSE: The defendant alleged that there was no violation of the applicable standard of care and that the plaintiff’s injuries preexisted the care he provided to the plaintiff.

INJURIES: The plaintiff suffered progression of his disease, including further vertebral body demineralization, additional compression fractures, disability, and underwent multiple kyphoplasties to attempt to stabilize his spine.

SPECIAL DAMAGES: Medical bills: $58,245.65

SETTLEMENT: The parties agreed to settle for a confidential amount.

PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL: Randolph J. Reis, Esquire (Reis Law, PLLC)

NAMES/COUNTY: Anonymous v. Anonymous