CHESHIRE, CT — A local woman is suing several Connecticut hospitals and doctors, claiming their failure to diagnose her late husband’s Myasthenia gravis led to his premature death.
Sarah Bernstein of Cheshire, administratrix of the estate of Andrew Phillip Bernstein, filed the lawsuit in Superior Court in New Haven in June.
The litigation names several defendants, including Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University, Yale New Haven Health Services Corp., Dr. Safa Elnazer, MidState Medical Center, Hartford Healthcare Corp., Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, and Dr. Felix Pacheco.
According to the lawsuit, Andrew Bernstein was a loving father and husband who died at age 50.
It claims the defendants were negligent for repeatedly failing to recognize his “obvious signs and symptoms of Myasthenia gravis.”
It is a chronic autoimmune disorder that adversely affects the neuromuscular system. According to the lawsuit, when properly diagnosed, the condition can be managed, and most people have a normal life expectancy.
On Feb. 1, 2024, Andrew Bernstein went to Yale’s emergency department experiencing progressive lower extremity weakness and an unsteady gait. A doctor indicated it was likely due to diabetic neuropathy and then ordered more testing. The lawsuit claims an MRI and appropriate follow-up lab work were not done.
According to the lawsuit, a computed tomography, or CT scan, revealed a partially calcified soft tissue mass. Its location and appearance were highly indicative of a tumor called a thymoma, which is highly correlated with Myasthenia gravis, the lawsuit asserts.
The lawsuit says the doctors never realized the clinical significance and attributed his symptoms to acute renal failure and uncontrolled diabetes, and he was discharged on Feb. 7.
In a Feb. 14 follow-up visit with a physician, no test for Myasthenia gravis was ordered, the lawsuit says.
Andrew Bernstein went to MidState’s emergency room on Feb. 25 with difficulty swallowing but was diagnosed with anxiety, according to the lawsuit.
He suffered respiratory failure and cardiac arrest on Feb. 26, 2024, and he died on March 1, the lawsuit shows.
According to the lawsuit, lab work confirmed he had Myasthenia gravis, which went undiagnosed and untreated for a month before his death.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Attorney Ernest Teitell of Silver, Golub & Teitell, claims the defendants were negligent.
Tina Varona, a spokesperson for Hartford HealthCare, said, “Our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family. We are unable to provide further comment on pending litigation.”
Yale New Haven Health said in a statement it extends its sincere condolences to the family for their loss.
“The physicians and caregivers at Yale New Haven Hospital work every day to provide thoughtful, high-quality care to patients facing complex medical conditions,” Yale said, in a statement. “Although we cannot address the specific allegations because the case is in litigation, we stand behind the care provided by our team and will respond through the appropriate legal process.”
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