A Missouri medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuit was filed on February 2, 2026 by the parents of a 24-year-old Type 1 diabetic man with an insulin pump and a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor against Mercy Springfield, a doctor, and a nurse. The lawsuit alleges that on December 16, 2014, the man arrived at Mercy Springfield’s ER around 1:30 p.m. with complaints of “vomiting, lower back spasms, and a critically high blood sugar over 500” and was suffering from symptoms similar to diabetic ketoacidosis.
At about 2:43 p.m., the man allegedly was still in the waiting room when he experienced problems with breathing. At 3:30 p.m., while he was still in the waiting room and had not yet been seen by a doctor, he allegedly experienced breathing problems again. Five minutes later, the lawsuit claims that his Dexcom meter was reading his blood sugar as “over high.” Around 4:40 p.m., the man’s insulin pump allegedly stopped working yet nothing was done.
Around 5:30 p.m., the man experienced dry mouth. Five minutes later, he became unresponsive, went into cardiac arrest, and the nursing staff then called a code.
The Missouri medical malpractice lawsuit alleges that the defendant physician began CPR, multiple rounds of IV epinephrine were undertaken, and an airway intubation was initially wrongly placed in the man’s esophagus rather than his nasopharyngeal airway.
The lawsuit states that the man “waited untreated in the waiting room for nearly five hours, despite displaying clear symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, and at 6:01 p.m., he was pronounced dead from complications related to the condition.”
The man’s parents issued the following statement:
“Our family is forever changed by George’s death. We miss his joy and laughter on a daily basis and his absence leaves a hole that can never be filled.
“Over the short time George lived in Missouri, he found a community that welcomed him with open arms. Our entire family fell in love with Springfield and the amazing people we met, visiting him every chance we got.
“We’re bringing this action because we want to see change in whatever hospital policies, procedures, or personnel that led to George’s death, so no other Missouri family has to endure the devastating loss we’re living with.”
Mercy Springfield also issued a statement after the lawsuit was filed: “We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences for this family’s devastating loss. We have and will continue to work with the family and their counsel to work toward a resolution.”
If you or a family member suffered serious injury or other harm that may be due to ER medical negligence in Missouri or in another U.S. state, you should promptly find a Missouri medical malpractice attorney or a medical malpractice attorney in your state who may investigate your ER medical malpractice claim for you and represent you or your family member in a ER medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
Visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find medical malpractice lawyers in your state who may assist you.
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