Man was wrongly told he was going to die
Mark Templin — in his mid-70s — sold his truck, celebrated a “final” birthday, chose his funeral service, and even asked his son-in-law to build him a box for his ashes.
Entering into a deep depression, he regularly broke down in tears and moved into hospice care designed for end-of-life patients.
He also prominently displayed a “do not resuscitate” notice on his fridge so any paramedics would let him die.
However, the 2009 diagnosis of brain cancer from doctors at Fort Harrison VA Medical Center was wrong. And this week he won $60,000 (€46,000) compensation for the serious error that made him believe for 148 terrifying days that he was dying.
The Independent Record reports that Templin underwent more tests as he started to feel better.
They revealed he had actually suffered a series of small strokes — meaning he would be around for some time to come.
US district judge Donald Molloy wrote that pain and anguish was caused by Dr Patrick Morrow’s “negligent failure to meet the standard of care” when delivering the diagnosis.
“It is difficult to put a price tag on the anguish of a man wrongly convinced of his impending death,” Molloy wrote.
He awarded Templin $500 per day for the initial period of severe mental and emotional distress and $300 per day for the latter period until he received his new diagnosis.
The medical centre was also ordered to repay the cost of the birthday party and funeral.
