Date: 09-12-2000

Case Style: Palacios v. Sloan

Case Number: 3494381

Judge: Bascom Bentley

Court: 349th District Court, Anderson County, Texas

Plaintiff's Attorney: James E. Girards of The Girards Law Firm, Dallas, Texas

Defendant's Attorney: Rus Schell and Steve Mitchel of Schell & Quillin, Dallas, Texas, for defendant Sloan ; Steve Spitzer, Tyler, Texas, for defendant Mother Frances Hospital

Description: Medical Malpractice - On August 5, 1997, 44-year-old Rudy Palacios presented to Memorial Mother Frances Hospital in Palestine, Anderson County, Texas with complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath. An EKG showed 2mm ST-segment depression in three leads. Troponin I cardiac enzyme test was elevated. the emergency room physician [Crawford Sloan, M.D.] discharged the patient with a diagnosis of "hyperglycemia" and instructions to make an appointment with his family doctor in 2 days.

Rudy presented to his family doctor the next day, but that doctor was unable to obtain a faxed copy of the emergency room chart, and discharged the patient with a diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain, and instructions to return to the emergency room if he felt worse. Rudy presented to the emergency room later that night and was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction. He died during an attempted angioplasty on August 8, 1997.

The family [surviving spouse and 2 adult daughters] brought suit against Mother Frances Hospital and the emergency physician, Crawford Sloan, M.D.

Outcome: Mother Frances settled before trial for $100,000. Crawford Sloan, M.D. offered $500,000 before trial which was rejected. A jury verdict was returned on August 25, 2000 against Crawford Sloan, M.D. for $3,111,935. Post-verdict Motions are pending.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: Reported by James Girards.