Failure to diagnose bilateral dissected carotid arteries

$1,100,000

A male mid-forties college professor was out for a jog after partially recovering from a bad cold. During the jog, he experienced severe upper respiratory congestion and coughed so hard that he felt dizzy, had a headache and some visual disturbances. He went to the ER and the doctor who examined him attributed the problems to migraines, which he had previously experienced. He was sent home. The next day , feeling much worse and unable to use his hands well or focus on reading, he returned to the ER. A CT scan revealed that he had sustained bilateral dissected carotid arteries, likely from the coughing. An expert retained by Attorney Goodman reviewed the entire chart and rendered an opinion that the initial ER doctor should have done more tests and made a proper diagnosis. The failure to make the proper diagnosis resulted in serious permanent injuries to the college professor, who was unable to concentrate on reading and teaching, so he had to go on permanent disability. The case was settled after a lengthy mediation.