Facts

On April 6, 2009, Caninn Oberhansli-Minor, a toddler, was brought to the emergency room at Carson-Tahoe Regional Healthcare due to severe abdominal pains, fever and severe vomiting. Bowel obstruction was suspected, but the presiding doctor did not order surgical consultation.

Morphine was prescribed and administered throughout April 7th and 8th. Because his condition did not improve, he was eventually transferred to Renown Regional Medical Center based on the child's cystic-fibrosis doctor's recommendation.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on April 9th, the child was admitted at Renown in stable condition with some signs of shock. The admitting physician was notified of the admission and initial orders were obtained. The admitting physician evaluated the child approximately three hours after the child was admitted. During those three hours the child's condition did not change.

At approximately 11:50 p.m., an x-ray revealed a bowl obstruction and the treating pediatric surgeon was immediately notified by phone at approximately midnight. The pediatric surgeon opted to evaluate the child in the morning.

The next morning, the child was taken to surgery and a percentage of his small bowel was discovered to be dead and liquefying.

The child's parents sued the doctors involved as well as the two facilities for negligence.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs contended that defendants were negligent and their care and treatment of Cannin fell below the standard.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants contended that the minor was clinically stable and his labs were normal while he was at Carson-Tahoe. Further, defendants contended that the pediatric surgeon's delay caused the minor's injury. Defendant-doctor provided that there was no evidence of an obstruction. All defendants contended that they acted within the standards.

Damages

Plaintiffs claimed damage in excess of $10,000.

Result

The jury rendered a defense verdict.