A 24-year-old man in Missouri died after waiting nearly five hours in a hospital emergency room while showing clear signs of a diabetic emergency, according to a lawsuit filed by his parents. The family of George Lubrano is now suing Mercy Hospital in Springfield, claiming the hospital staff ignored his worsening condition and failed to provide timely care that could have saved his life.
Lawsuit Claims Hospital Ignored Medical Emergency
On December 16, 2024, George Lubrano walked into the Mercy Hospital ER at around 1:30 p.m., suffering from vomiting, lower back pain, and extremely high blood sugar levels — symptoms consistent with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication of diabetes.
According to the lawsuit, Lubrano’s blood sugar was over 500, and he was visibly weak, short of breath, and later unable to talk. Despite this, he remained in the waiting room for nearly five hours, and wasn’t seen by a doctor until it was too late.
Repeated Pleas for Help Were Dismissed
Lubrano reportedly told nurses multiple times that he couldn’t breathe and felt extremely weak. However, staff allegedly brushed off his symptoms as “just hyperventilation.” The petition claims that:
- At 2:43 p.m., Lubrano reported not being able to breathe. A nurse listened to his lungs, said they were clear, and noted he was hyperventilating.
- At 3:30 p.m., he again struggled to breathe and was once more dismissed as hyperventilating.
- By 4:30 p.m., he told staff he was feeling weak and that his blood sugar monitor and insulin pump had stopped working.
- Around 5:30 p.m., Lubrano complained of a very dry mouth and showed signs of further decline.
Still, no doctor had seen him. Finally, at 5:35 p.m., he was brought to a treatment room — but his condition had already deteriorated severely.
Failed Resuscitation and Final Moments
Once in a treatment room, Lubrano reportedly began making gurgling noises, lost his pulse, and became unresponsive. Hospital staff called a code and attempted to revive him using CPR, IV medication, and intubation. However, his parents’ lawsuit claims the intubation tube was placed incorrectly, further delaying life-saving treatment.
Lubrano was pronounced dead at 6:01 p.m., just over four hours after first arriving at the hospital.
“He Should Have Been Treated Immediately”
The lawsuit highlights that diabetic ketoacidosis is treatable, especially when recognized early. It typically requires IV fluids, insulin, and close monitoring — all of which are considered standard and non-invasive treatments.
According to the Mayo Clinic, DKA symptoms can include:
- Extreme thirst and dry mouth
- Rapid, deep breathing (Kussmaul breathing)
- Weakness or fatigue
- Confusion or trouble speaking
Lubrano showed many of these signs. A medical expert who reviewed the case concluded that the hospital failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure “directly contributed” to Lubrano’s death.
“Instead of receiving urgent care,” the petition states, “George Lubrano sat untreated in the waiting room for nearly five hours, despite showing clear and severe signs of a medical emergency.”
Family Demands Accountability
George Lubrano’s parents have named Mercy Hospital, a doctor, and a nurse practitioner in their wrongful death lawsuit. They claim their son would still be alive if the hospital had followed standard emergency care practices.
A letter of merit filed with the lawsuit supports the parents’ claims, stating that Mercy staff acted negligently by failing to recognize and treat Lubrano’s worsening condition.
Hospital Responds
While Mercy Hospital did not comment directly on the lawsuit, a spokesperson told the Springfield Daily Citizen:
“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.”
