A grieving daughter has taken legal action against a health system and several of its medical staff, alleging that their negligence led to her father's untimely death. Michelle Hood filed the complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on behalf of herself and as the administratrix of her deceased father Robert W. Hood's estate. The defendants named in the lawsuit include Joel Rosenbloom, D.O.; Meaghen Finan, M.D.; Gregory Franko PA-C; Anuradha Gowda, M.D.; Fermin Calderon-Dujarric, M.D.; and West Penn Allegheny Health System d/b/a Forbes Hospital.
The case revolves around events that transpired on October 18, 2022, when Robert W. Hood was rushed to Forbes Hospital's Emergency Department with severe shortness of breath. Despite presenting symptoms indicative of a cardiac event—such as elevated troponin levels and an abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG)—the medical team allegedly failed to properly diagnose and treat his condition. According to the complaint, Defendants Franko and Rosenbloom initially suspected sepsis rather than considering Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), which should have been a priority given Robert's symptoms.
Michelle Hood contends that this misdiagnosis continued even after consulting with infectious disease specialist Dr. Phalgun Prativadi, who ruled out pneumonia or urinary tract infection but still did not shift focus towards cardiac issues. It wasn't until much later in the day that hospitalist Dr. Anuradha Gowda ordered a cardiology consult—hours after Robert had already shown signs of severe cardiac distress.
Tragically, Robert was found unresponsive later that evening while still in the Emergency Department. Subsequent EKGs confirmed he had suffered a myocardial infarction (heart attack). By the time cardiologist Dr. Ragoor Reddy examined him early on October 19th, it was too late; Robert’s myocardium had ruptured leading to cardiogenic shock. His family decided to cease further medical intervention due to his deteriorated condition.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of multiple counts of negligence including failure to perform an adequate differential diagnosis and timely order appropriate consultations and treatments. Michelle Hood is seeking damages for pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and other losses permitted by law under Pennsylvania’s Survival Act and Wrongful Death Act.
Representing Michelle Hood are attorneys A. Michael Gianantonio and Madeline T. Stuchell from Friday & Cox LLC based in Pittsburgh, PA.