POLK County Lawsuit

When Emergency Care Falls Short: A Critical Test That Was Never Ordered

Patients go to the emergency room expecting doctors to take their symptoms seriously and follow the right steps to find answers. But in one troubling Florida case, an emergency department failed to order a basic head CT scan for a woman showing signs of a possible brain issue.

Instead of receiving the standard care her condition required, she was sent home—with her symptoms unexplained and unresolved.

A Serious Oversight:
What the Expert Found

According to a board-certified emergency medicine expert, two separate ER doctors missed an essential part of care. The patient had neurological complaints, including lightheadedness and nausea—classic red flags that should have triggered immediate brain imaging.

The first physician ordered a CT angiogram of the neck, which checks for arterial blockages. That test was appropriate for one concern, but not enough. The expert says that standard emergency protocol called for a plain head CT to check for more common and potentially life-threatening brain issues.

But that scan was never performed.

When the first doctor’s shift ended, the patient was transferred to a second physician. That provider reviewed labs and prior scans, found no alarming results, and discharged her—without ever noticing that a brain scan had been skipped.

Why a Missed Head CT Is
Medical Malpractice

Why a Missed Head CT Is Medical Malpractice

The medical expert called this failure a “clear deviation from the standard of care.” Both physicians had an independent responsibility to:

Recognize the warning signs of a neurological issue

Ensure all necessary imaging was performed

Communicate clearly during the shift change

By discharging the patient prematurely, the doctors missed a crucial opportunity to diagnose and treat what could have been a serious medical condition.

The Hidden Danger of
Shift Changes in Hospitals

The Hidden Danger of Shift Changes in Hospitals

Cases like this highlight a common problem in emergency rooms: poor communication during physician handoffs. When care isn’t carefully coordinated between doctors, critical steps can fall through the cracks—and patients pay the price.

Whether due to oversight, rushing, or a breakdown in communication, these failures can amount to medical negligence under Florida law.

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