News Summary
The family of Vietnam-era veteran William ‘Joey’ Howard has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the VA Boston Healthcare System, claiming that delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment contributed to his passing. Howard battled lung and esophageal cancer before his death on May 26, 2023. The family asserts that crucial cancer diagnosis results were not communicated to him for nearly a year, resulting in preventable suffering and loss. The lawsuit highlights the importance of timely medical care for veterans.
Natick Family Takes a Stand Against VA Over Delayed Cancer Treatment
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the family of William “Joey” Howard, a dedicated 74-year-old Vietnam-era veteran, has made headlines by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the VA Boston Healthcare System. The family asserts that the delays in diagnosing and treating Howard’s cancer contributed to his untimely passing, a tragedy that they believe could have been avoided.
Joey Howard passed away on May 26, 2023, from lung and esophageal cancer after brave years battling the illnesses. His family is now pursuing this lawsuit, claiming that VA medical staff failed to communicate crucial cancer diagnosis results to him for close to a year, ultimately leading to a “premature and preventable death.”
Missed Diagnoses and Delays
In October 2021, Howard was diagnosed with early localized lung cancer, a condition that can often be managed effectively with prompt treatment. However, as time passed, his situation took a turn for the worse. The cancer expanded and metastasized, causing his health to deteriorate further. Compounding his struggles, an esophageal cancer developed during this period, leading to an agonizing journey that could have been different had he received timely care.
The legal complaint details how Howard was admitted to the Boston VA Hospital in September 2021. He was experiencing shortness of breath, a symptom that, sadly, was a critical warning sign of his cancer. Despite subsequent tests revealing significant abnormalities suggestive of cancer, if not outright malignant disease, VA doctors neglected to inform Howard about his diagnosis and did not recommend any oncology referrals.
As the years went on, the situation intensified. By the end of 2022, Howard found himself back at the VA’s emergency department, grappling with severe chronic pain, persistent shortness of breath, leg swelling, and a troubling sense of weakness. Tragically, by this time, the cancer had advanced substantially, culminating in his untimely death.
The Institutional Failures and Aftermath
Following his passing, VA staff held an “institutional disclosure of an adverse event” conference to address the significant communication failure regarding Howard’s health. They expressed their apologies, yet the emotional scars on the family are likely to stick around for much longer.
As a means of rectifying the situation, the VA extended an offer for expedited consultations and second opinions once the case was made public. Still, the family insists that no amount of apologies or consultations can mend the grief borne from losing Joey due to delays they deem unforgivable.
A Strong Call for Change
Howard’s story is a painful reminder of the critical importance of timely diagnosis, particularly with aggressive cancers like lung and esophageal cancer. The lawsuit emphasizes how essential early detection can be in improving treatment outcomes. Delayed diagnosis not only worsens a patient’s prognosis but drastically increases the risk of death, a stark reality that the Howard family hopes to highlight through their legal action.
As the family embarks on this legal battle, they hope to bring attention to the need for improvements within the VA healthcare system. Veterans like Howard deserve high-quality medical care, a right that should never be compromised regardless of the circumstances. The family’s effort to seek justice is not only a tribute to Joey but also a call for significant change in the care afforded to those who served the country.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court earlier this month and sets a potentially powerful precedent. The VA Boston Healthcare System has expressed condolences to Howard’s family but remains tight-lipped regarding the specific ongoing legal matters. As this case unfolds, it underscores a crucial conversation about healthcare responsibilities and the rights of our nation’s veterans.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Herald: Boston VA Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: VA Health Care
- ABC7NY: Karen Read Update
- Google Search: Lawsuits Against VA Healthcare
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Norovirus
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Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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