Personal Injury Law

Suffolk County Jury Awards $2.4 Million Massachusetts Medical Malpractice Verdict in Wrongful Death of College Basketball Player

By Altman & Altman

A Massachusetts jury has awarded the parents of Antwoine Key $2.4 million for his Worcester wrongful death. The college basketball player died in 2005 after collapsing during the first quarter of a game at Worcester State College.

Dr. Dorina R. Abdulah had examined the 22-year-old Eastern Connecticut State University student in 2001. According to the plaintiffs? Boston medical malpractice lawyers, Abdulah was supposed to determine whether Key was medically eligible to take part in college sports.

While examining Key at a Dorchester health center, Abdulah discovered that there was a ?slight systolic murmur? in his heart. Yet she signed a form clearing him to play sports. She noted that Key was in ?excellent health? and did not impose any physical restrictions on him.

Autopsy results indicate that the college student?s cause of death was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The plaintiffs? Boston wrongful death lawyers accused Abdulah of failing to conduct a complete examination of Key, which rendered her unable to give an accurate medical opinion. They contend that if Abdulah had correctly diagnosed the heart murmur, Key?s life might have been saved.

Abdulah?s attorneys argued that she did in fact order an electrocardiogram for Key but that he did not show up to take the test.

Key?s parents, Angela and Tony, were awarded $400,000 for pain and suffering and $600,000 each for the loss of their son. With interest, the Massachusetts wrongful death award goes up to almost $2.4 million.

Wrong Diagnosis
It is so important for doctors to correctly diagnose a patient?s condition. Failure to provide the correct diagnosis can result in health complications and even death. A patient who is incorrectly diagnosed may end up having to undergo more aggressive medical procedures in order to recover. Wrong diagnosis can be grounds for Boston medial malpractice.

Jury finds doctor negligent in death of basketball player, Boston.com, March 27, 2010

Jury Finds Doctor Negligent In Death Of ECSU Basketball Player, Courant.com, March 28, 2010

Eastern Connecticut player dies after collapsing at game, Chicago Flame, January 25, 2005

Related Web Resources:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, MedlinePlus

Wrong Diagnosis

Full post as published by Boston Injury Lawyer Blog on April 13, 2010 (boomark / email).