The Case
A man went to his optometrist for a routine eye exam. During the exam, the optometrist saw ruptured small blood vessels in his eyes. This finding can signal dangerously high blood pressure.
The optometrist recognized the risk and sent him directly to the emergency department for immediate evaluation.
At the hospital, staff took his blood pressure. The reading confirmed a hypertensive emergency, a severe elevation in blood pressure that requires urgent treatment to prevent stroke, organ damage, or death. He was discharged without receiving the intervention needed to lower his blood pressure.
Shortly after leaving the hospital, he suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke, meaning a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
We alleged in this medical malpractice case that the emergency department failed to treat a clear medical emergency. The blood pressure readings documented the crisis. The optometrist had already identified visible vascular damage. Despite this, the hospital sent him home without appropriate treatment. When healthcare providers observe seriously elevated blood pressures together with “end organ damage” – in this case, ruptures of capillaries within the eye – the standard of care requires healthcare providers to treat the patient’s blood pressure with IV anti-hypertensive medications without delay.
The Defense
The defense argued that the patient was not experiencing a hypertensive emergency despite the documented readings. They claimed it would have been inappropriate to administer intravenous anti-hypertensive medication.
They also contended that the stroke was the patient’s fault because he had not been taking previously prescribed blood pressure medication.
Arguments that a patient’s own actions contributed to the outcome are common in hospital negligence cases. The case ultimately resolved without trial.
The Resolution
The case settled for $975,000.
The settlement reflected the documented blood pressure readings, the optometrist’s referral for emergency care, and the allegation that appropriate treatment was not provided before discharge.
While a financial recovery cannot undo the stroke, the resolution provided compensation for the harm suffered and accountability for the alleged failure to respond to a medical crisis.
Why These Cases Matter
Hypertensive emergencies require immediate treatment. When blood pressure rises to dangerous levels, delay can result in permanent brain injury, organ damage, or death.
Emergency departments are expected to recognize and treat these crises based on objective findings such as blood pressure readings and visible signs of vascular injury. When clear diagnostic evidence is not acted upon, the consequences can be life-altering.
If you or a family member suffered serious harm after being discharged from a hospital without appropriate treatment, you may have questions about what should have happened. You can contact us to discuss your situation. We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency basis—there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.