Aneurysm Kills Man After Sore Throat Diagnosis, Dad Says
9-17-2014 00:16:00


RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CN) - A Kaiser doctor prescribed a man Ibuprofen instead of properly treating his heart disease, his father claims in a Riverside County Superior Court complaint.

Al Arevalo checked into the emergency room at a Kaiser hospital in Riverside, Calif. on July 24, 2013. He complained of pain in his trunk, left leg numbness and a sore throat. Dr. Barbara Blasko diagnosed him with a sore throat, prescribed Ibuprofen and discharged him. Arevalo died, however, just hours later of an aneurysm in his heart due to ongoing hypertension, according to the complaint.
Arevalo’s father, Angel, said Blasko obviously should have taken more care in examining his son who died as a result of her negligence and misdiagnoses.
Al Arevalo's care and treatment was not up to the standard of care, and he was not provided sufficient information on the risks and hazards, or other harmful consequences, that might follow from the treatment, care or diagnosis, the complaint states.
The plaintiff blames the doctor but also Kaiser for hiring someone he alleges lacked the proper skills to provide care to his son.
He is suing Blask, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. and Kaiser Permanente for professional negligence, medical malpractice and wrongful death. He seeks economic and non-economic damages, medical expenses and costs for his son’s burial.
The plaintiff is represented by Westley Westphal, in San Bernardino, Calif.

RIC1407185