BY: LITIGATION DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
WELLINGTON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Palm Beach County man is dead and Wellington Regional Medical Center is being sued for medical malpractice after the man went into cardiac arrest just two days after being discharged from Wellington — after presenting with shortness of breath and other potential cardiac-related issued.
Anthony Johnson, 52, went to Wellington Regional around 1 a.m. on August 20th, 2021 with shortness of breath. While he received substantial care, according to the complaint just filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, he was released later that day — even though doctors apparently determined that Johnson was suffering from a pulmonary embolism. The complaint states Johnson was released around 3:35 p.m. and received no orders for follow-up care or instructions on what to do once he left the hospital.
Just two days later, on August 22nd, 2021, “Anthony Johnson suffered cardiopulmonary arrest at home,” states the suit. “(He) was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center at approximately 9:17 a.m. with (CPR) and advanced cardiac life support ongoing. Unable to achieve return of spontaneous respiration, resuscitation efforts were abandoned, and Anthony Johnson was pronounced dead at approximately 9:52 a.m.”
The lawsuit focuses on the care Johnson received at Wellington Regional Medical Center, why he was discharged just hours after being admitted, and why he was permitted to leave — allegedly without receiving post-care instructions. Johnson leaves behind his family, including minor children. Johnson’s estate is represented by Attorney Donald Ward of Searcy Denny Scarola Barnhart and Shipley in West Palm Beach. Read the complete suit here.
