Lawsuit Against Meuhedet Claims Medical Negligence Led to Infant's Death

A medical malpractice lawsuit seeking 10 million shekels has been filed in the Central District Court against the Meuhedet Health Services following the tragic death of a five-month-old infant. According to the lawsuit, the clinic's doctor failed to timely diagnose a severe deterioration in the baby's condition and neglected to urgently refer him to a hospital.

The suit, filed by attorneys Gilad Ginzburg and Daniel Pinhasi from the Anat Ginzburg and Co. law firm, states that hours after being sent home with an inhalation treatment, the infant collapsed. He was later diagnosed with severe bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, passing away four days later.

Medical Timeline and Symptoms

The parents initially brought the baby to the HMO pediatrician after he suffered from a cough, fever, and breathing difficulties for three days. The examination noted coarse crackles in both lungs, prompting a referral to the emergency room at Shaare Zedek Medical Center on suspicion of pneumonia. Blood tests and a chest X-ray were performed; the X-ray was interpreted as normal, and medical staff concluded it was a viral illness, discharging the infant with instructions for monitoring.

Over the next two days, the parents noted worsening symptoms: persistent fever, increased coughing and breathing struggles, difficulty sleeping and feeding, a weak cry, and apparent pain. Four days later, the parents returned to the clinic. Coarse crackles and wheezing were documented in the left lung, and the child was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and sent home with inhalations.

"There is no doubt that during the visit to the HMO clinic, the treating doctor was negligent in diagnosing the infant's condition and referred the parents to perform an inhalation instead of urgently referring him to a pediatric emergency room," noted the medical expert's opinion attached to the lawsuit.

Rapid Deterioration and Expert Opinion

Hours after the second clinic visit, the family contacted the HMO's telephonic emergency hotline to report further deterioration and lack of improvement. Upon arriving at the clinic branch as instructed, the infant was already pulseless and breathless. Resuscitation efforts were performed, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe streptococcus A pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and sepsis, ultimately leading to his death.

The lawsuit includes an expert opinion from a pediatrician and infectious disease specialist stating that the infant's chances of dying from the infection would have been negligible had he received proper medical supervision in a hospital setting. The suit demands compensation for loss of earning years, pain and suffering, shortening of life expectancy, and the parents' psychological damages.

In response, Meuhedet Health Services stated: "The lawsuit was recently received. After we study its details, and for reasons of privacy, we will respond within the legal proceedings as customary."