3-year-old dies after condition worsens in ER

A family is suing Albany Medical Center because their 3-year-old son died after being in the hospital’s emergency room for 17 hours. The family alleges that the hospital was too busy and couldn’t give their son the medical care he needed on time.

The child died from a pulmonary embolism and an enlarged heart. His symptoms were abdominal pain, lethargy, not eating, and not walking. The family alleges that because the hospital was overcrowded and busy, test results were delayed, as was moving the child from the ER to a hospital room.

The hospital denies negligence, while still acknowledging high patient volume. The lawsuit also includes claims against the child’s pediatrician and other doctors involved in his care.