Family Files Complaint Against Multiple Local Hospitals and Physicians

West Palm Beach, Florida, May 16, 2009 -- The family of Enrique Casasnovas has filed a lawsuit against multiple local hospitals and physicians that allegedly failed or refused to treat Mr. Casasnovas' internal bleeding.

The case is Charles H. Burns v. Palms West Hospital Limited Partnership et al. (Case No. 50 2008 CA 040330 XXXX MB AB). The amended complaint was filed Jan. 26, 2009 in the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County, Florida.

According to the Florida Patient Dumping Statute, hospitals that have specific service capabilities, such as gastroenterology, must also offer the same service in their emergency room. In Mr. Casasnovas' case, no gastroenterologist was willing to treat him for his emergency internal bleeding, according to the lawsuit.

The West Palm Beach, Florida Law Firm of Gordon & Doner is representing the Casasnovas family in the lawsuit.

"This case brings light to a serious ongoing issue in our emergency rooms" said Scott Donaldson, the attorney representing the Casasnovas family. "When an individual enters a full service hospital emergency room, they have a reasonable expectation that specialty care services will be available."

At the time of the incident, Palm Beach County had plenty of practicing gastroenterologists, yet no hospital had one willing to take the emergency call, according to the family's complaint. As a result, Mr. Casasnovas had to be transferred to a hospital in Broward County, the family alleges.

Shortly after the transfer, Mr. Casasnovas suffered cardiac arrest believed to be related to the uncontrolled internal bleeding which was left untreated while searching for a specialist, the lawsuit alleges. Casasnovas, 39, died on January 25th, 2007, leaving behind a young family.

The Florida Patient Dumping Statute requires emergency rooms to treat any patient in need of emergency medical care. Emergency rooms must offer specialty services that are offered in the hospital to admitted patients, where the service is often more financially beneficial to the hospital. The intention is to ensure all persons receive emergency medical care and to prevent patients from being "dumped" into other hospitals.

About Gordon & Doner

The law firm of Gordon & Doner has been serving the community for over 16 years. Practice areas include Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Defective Products, Business Litigation and Work Injury. Gordon & Doner has offices in Palm Beach Gardens, Stuart, Delray Beach and Pembroke Pines.

For more information, please contact Christina D'Elosua at 561.799.5070, x133. For a case evaluation, use the firm's online contact form.

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