Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Laurence Seng went to a hospital emergency room complaining of a persistent cough, chest heaviness, and burning following an outpatient urological procedure. Seng, who vomited, was administered a gastrointestinal cocktail in an effort to relieve his chest symptoms; however, his pain level increased. Osteopath Joseph Robinson diagnosed a persistent cough and discharged Seng home that evening.

At home, he continued to experience chest heaviness and developed a racing heart. The next morning, Seng’s wife discovered him unresponsive. Seng, 66, died of a myocardial infarction. He is survived by his wife and four adult children.

Seng’s wife, individually and on behalf of his estate, sued Robinson, alleging he failed to evaluate Seng for a potential cardiac cause of his symptoms, including ordering an EKG and blood testing. The plaintiffs asserted that the defendant knew that Seng had discontinued his blood thinner before the outpatient procedure but discharged him without ruling out a cardiac issue.

The plaintiffs were awarded $475,000 through binding arbitration.

Citation: Seng v. Robinson, No. 2016-03420 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Montgomery Cty. May 12, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Fredric Eisenberg and Brian C. Hall, both of Philadelphia.