Recent Verdicts and Settlements (Continued from page 40)


tent anti-arrhytmia medications and defibrillation that Dr. Albornoz thought he might die before he could be evalu- ated. Mr. Melnick was transferred emergently to Sinai Hospital where a cath- eterization proved his coronary arteries to be clean and his ejection fraction to be less than half normal. At this point, care of Mr. Melnick was transferred to two other Mid Atlantic doctors, Dr. Steven Pollock and Dr. David Schamp. An echocardiogram done five days after ad-


mission proved that his ejection fraction had declined another 10% and established that the right side of the heart was dilated. At this point, Mr. Melnick’s care was transferred to two other Mid Atlantic doctors, Dr. Quartner and Dr. Guarnieri. The notes written by the doctors during the two week hospitalization indicated that they were puzzled by Mr. Melnick’s unusual presentation and course. One of the doctors wrote: “is there something we could be missing that is making this ar- rhythmia so hard to manage?” Mr. Melnick was discharged from Sinai on January 28 with a diagnosis of “dilated


cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology” or as plaintiffs contended “bad heart but we don’t know why.” At discharge, he was told to follow with yet another Mid At- lantic doctor, Dr. Hillsley and also with Dr. Albornoz who he had seen only once during the early part of his hospitaliza- tion. He was also told he would improve with time if he took his standard heart failure medications. He died.


Allegations: Plaintiffs alleged that Mr. Melnick fell


(Continued on page 44)


     


  





                    


          


                  


               


                


42


Trial Reporter


Fall 2003


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