Dudley v. Iowa Physician's Clinic

Summary

Joseph Dudley was sent home from an urgent care facility operated by UnityPoint Health after suffering from a fever over 103 degrees. Dudley claims to have developed this fever due to meningitis, which required placement into a medically induced coma.

Dudley argues that he received unfair treatment, as he arrived at the clinic at the end of their operating hours. He was diagnosed with the flu and given instructions to return for a follow-up visit. After his condition worsened, he was placed into a medically induced coma. This misdiagnosis, he claims, led to severe brain damage that may worsen as he grows older.

UnityPoint asserts that physician's assistant Melanie Choos followed the standard of care in diagnosing Dudley, as he did not present with neck pain or a headache, two hallmarks of bacterial meningitis.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $27 million.