Final Research Paper: Corley vs. State Department of Health and Hospital



Final Research Paper: Corley vs. State Department of Health and Hospital

Introduction

This paper discusses about a court case of Corley vs. State Department of Health and Hospital. This case is identified as one of the popular medical malpractice lawsuits. Thus, writing upon this case is of personal interest. Similarly, the reason for choosing this particular case is that it fits the criteria for discussion as highlighted in the next section of the paper.

Discussion

Case/Issue Summary

This segment of the paper overviews the history and background of this case and the main issue identified in it. In addition, certain assumptions that the writer has undertaken because of missing information to form coherent analysis are also presented. Moreover, the relevant stakeholders and their concerns are also highlighted.

This case highlights the appeal made by the defendants, the State Department of Health and Hospital and Conway Medical Center on the ruling that was previously given in favor of plaintiffs Sheila Corley and her son, the widow and heir of the deceased Walter Corley (Caselaw.findlaw.com, n.d). Mr. Corley lost his life because of negligence exercised by the physicians of the Conway center to diagnose his medical predicament. According to the alleged claim made by plaintiffs the trial court ruled the hearing in their favor, which was later challenged by the defendants. To discuss the foreground of this case, Mr. and Mrs. Corley married in 1984 and had their son in 1985. Soon after, they separated and divorced, only to be reconciled and remarried in 1988. However, in 1978 Mr. Corley was diagnosed with a nerves disease called Neurofibromatosis, and which is an abnormal growth of tumor cells in the body that affects the functioning of nerves in a human. Mr. Corley had four tumors removed from his hip, arms, head and leg by a physician in the same year. Other than this, Mr. Corley never had any other health problems or concerns. However, in 1988 he began to experience low back pain and gained treatment from a family physician. The physician assigned pain medicine and complete tests of the lower spine and upper body of Mr. Corley. The physician also recommended Mr. Corley to go see a specialist at E.A. Conway Medical Center for orthopedic consultation. The usual practice at the Conway Medical Center included that all new patients, even those with referrals, are suppose to check-in with the emergency room, where they would be evaluated and charted by an available physician. After which, their proper treatment could commence. Similarly, accompanied with his wife, Mr. Corley checked in with the center, where the emergency room physician, Mr. Fuller was shared the past reports and case history of Mr. Corley, but he was unaware about neurofibromatosis. The results did not show any major illness, thus under these circumstances Mr. Fuller continued the pain prescription for Mr. Corley. Soon, he was assigned to the orthopedic physician, Dr. Bridges during the hearing admitted of not remembering to read the old case ...