Assignment Task: Following a motorcycle accident, Timothy M. was brought to the Child's Hospital Emergency Department for treatment of severe bruises, blurred vision and a possible concussion. A CT scan of his head performed that day showed a mild subdural hematoma but no acute bleeding.
The following morning after his admission, the staff found Timothy M. was unable to move to the edge of the bed without assistance, slurred his speech, and was unable to follow commands. Because Childs Hospital did not offer neurological surgery, he was immediately transferred to a nearby hospital where a CT scan revealed an acute subdural hematoma that required emergency craniotomy. Thereafter, he experienced significant cognitive impairment as well as left-sided paralysis which left him unable to care for himself.
Subsequently, Timothy M. sued Child's Hospital to recover damages for medical malpractice, claiming the hospital had failed to timely diagnose and treat his subdural hematoma.
As risk manager for the hospital what issues would you highlight and what recommendation would you make in evaluating his claim?
Please provide cite and sources