United Emergency Services of Mississippi, Inc. v. Miller
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Shannon Reed arrived at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle's emergency room with severe chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and numbness in his left arm. Dr. Keith McCoy ordered several tests, including EKGs and Troponin measurements. Despite Reed's fluctuating pain levels, he was discharged with a diagnosis of unspecified chest pain and instructions to follow up with a cardiologist. Reed died later that night. Oliver Miller, on behalf of Reed's wrongful-death beneficiaries, filed medical negligence claims against the hospital, United Emergency Services, and Dr. McCoy.
The Lowndes County Circuit Court denied the defendants' motions for summary judgment, finding genuine issues of material fact for the jury to determine. The defendants argued that Miller's claims failed due to lack of causation, as affidavits from cardiologists indicated they would not have admitted Reed even if consulted. The court found that Miller's experts provided sufficient evidence of breaches in the standard of care that could have contributed to Reed's death.
The Supreme Court of Mississippi reviewed the case and affirmed the circuit court's denial of summary judgment in part, while reversing and rendering in part. The court held that Miller failed to establish causation for the claim that Dr. McCoy should have admitted Reed to the hospital, as the on-call cardiologists would not have admitted him. However, the court found that Miller's other claims, including improper discharge and failure to report pain increase, presented genuine issues of material fact. The case was remanded to the Lowndes County Circuit Court for further proceedings.
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