Rowland v. Columbia Heart Clinic, et al.

Summary

In this medical malpractice case, Scott Rowland suffered a heart attack and was subsequently brought to Palmetto Heart Tuomey Hospital. Rowland was airlifted to Palmetto Health Heart Hospital after doctors determined he needed more intensive care, where he suffered a second heart attack. Rowland sues Palmetto Health Heart Hospital, claiming that their delay in treatment failed to prevent the second attack.

Brink Hinson, representing Rowland, argues that Palmetto Health Heart Hospital did not request sufficient information upon his admission, which allegedly led to his placement in a standard hospital room. Hinson suggests that doctors should have continued with an immediate cardiac catheterization and placed a stent in the artery rather than waiting for two hours.

Attorneys for Palmetto assert that Rowland did not have an "ST elevation" indicated on the EKG, and that these patients require a different standard of care with a focus on oxygen levels than urgent catheterization. Palmetto claims that Rowland's cardiologist should have scheduled a stress test more quickly after Rowland complained of symptoms while performing physical labor.

Outcome

Verdict for the defense