Pittsburgh residents will be interested to hear about a medical malpractice case that was recently resolved in New Jersey. A man went to the emergency room with shortness of breath and chest pains, but the doctor discharged him the same day after diagnosing him with nothing more than a virus. The man wasn't even given any prescriptions to help with the apparent virus.

Just hours later though, the man's health rapidly declined and he began to fear for his life. He was so scared that he put together a will in case he passed away, giving execution of his estate to a friend. Unfortunately, the man's instincts were correct, and he died of a pulmonary embolism the next day.

The man's friend named in the will sued the doctor for medical malpractice, citing a failure to diagnosis a pulmonary embolism. The case was finalized last week and the jury found that an award that surpassed $1 million was worthy for the deceased man's estate.

Doctor's have to diagnose the conditions of patient every day, and the process could get repetitive. To some doctors, a patient is just another case that has to be handled. The sometimes ubiquitous nature of the job can lead to lazy work or missed nuances in a person's medical condition.

But to the patient, this diagnosis can be life or death. It can change their life forever, and the process is very new and scary to them.

That is why doctors are held to such a high standard for practicing medicine. They have to be correct, otherwise the condition of trust and reliability between doctor and patient is gone. The doctor was seemingly negligent while diagnosing the man, and the jury's determination supports this sentiment. He missed a major medical complication in the form of a pulmonary embolism; then he failed to provide a prescription for the virus he did diagnosis the patient with; all while the patient seemingly realized his impending doom.

Medical staff members must provide the utmost attention to any patient, otherwise permanent or serious harm to the person can result. When this happens, a patient is well within his or her rights to pursue a medical malpractice suit against the negligent parties.

Source: News of Cumberland County, "Vineland man's estate awarded $1.065 M in malpractice case," Jason Laday, Jan. 31, 2012