Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing, but when systems break down, the results can be fatal. A recent Florida case illustrates this failure all too clearly. The family of 55-year-old James R. Sada filed a lawsuit against Orlando Health after his death in 2020, alleging that a series of critical errors and delays cost him his life.
According to the lawsuit, Sada began experiencing chest pain on the morning of July 26, 2020. Paramedics confirmed that he had suffered a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and took him to South Seminole Hospital, an Orlando Health facility. The lawsuit alleges the hospital was not properly equipped to handle his condition, requiring him to be transferred by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Roughly an hour passed between his arrival and the helicopter’s departure. Once he reached the second hospital, staff attempted to intubate him but reportedly lacked the proper equipment to confirm placement of the breathing tube. His condition rapidly declined, and he died approximately one hour later.
The allegations in this case highlight how procedural breakdowns, communication failures, and resource shortages can have devastating consequences, and how hospitals often avoid taking responsibility for those failures.
The Hidden Problem of Hospital Negligence
Preventable medical errors are a major cause of death nationwide. In Florida, families routinely encounter hospitals that deflect blame or conceal information after a tragedy. Internal investigations, when conducted, are usually kept private under confidentiality and “peer review” protections. Families may be told little more than that “complications occurred,” even when documentation shows clear delays or missing procedures. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for victims to understand what truly happened or to hold negligent parties accountable.
How Hospitals Shield Themselves from Liability
Hospitals have extensive systems in place to protect their financial and legal interests. After a serious incident, a facility’s risk management team often steps in immediately to gather staff statements and assess potential exposure. These reviews are typically confidential, and Florida’s peer review privilege allows hospitals to withhold internal discussions about medical mistakes from being used in court.
While these laws were designed to encourage improvement in patient care, they often end up shielding hospitals from scrutiny. At the same time, large healthcare systems operate under complex corporate structures, making it difficult to determine which entity—parent company, subsidiary, or contracted provider—bears ultimate responsibility. For grieving families, these layers of protection can feel like an intentional barrier to the truth.
When Negligence Turns Fatal
Hospital negligence is not always about one catastrophic mistake. More often, it is a series of small failures—poor communication, lack of equipment, or delayed transfers—that lead to tragedy. In Sada’s case, the family’s lawsuit highlighted the dangerous impact of slow coordination and inadequate resources. Every minute matters during a heart attack, and the delay between his arrival at South Seminole Hospital and his helicopter transport may have made a critical difference.
Under Florida law, hospitals are required to meet a strict standard of care, meaning they must act with the same level of competence and promptness that a reasonably prudent facility would under similar circumstances. When a hospital breaches that duty, and a patient is harmed as a result, it can be held liable for negligence.
How Families Can Fight Back
For families who suspect hospital negligence, taking swift action is essential. Begin by requesting complete medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and transfer logs. Keep written records of all conversations with staff, noting names, dates, and details discussed. If the hospital refuses to provide documents, an attorney can issue a formal demand or subpoena to obtain them.
Hiring an experienced medical malpractice attorney early can make a substantial difference. A knowledgeable lawyer will know how to preserve evidence, secure expert testimony, and identify violations of hospital protocol that might not be obvious to the public. Acting quickly also helps avoid issues with Florida’s strict deadlines for filing malpractice claims.
Warning Signs of Hospital Negligence
Families may not always recognize that something went wrong until it’s too late. Be alert for red flags such as:
- Unexplained deterioration or sudden cardiac arrest following a routine procedure
- Staff providing vague or conflicting information about what occurred
- Missing documentation or “lost” test results
- Long delays in transfer or treatment for a time-sensitive emergency
- Administrative hesitation to discuss potential errors
Each of these warning signs may suggest negligence or a breakdown in hospital communication and oversight.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Hospitals and their insurance carriers are highly skilled at defending themselves. Without strong legal representation, families may never learn what truly happened or obtain the compensation they deserve. An attorney experienced in medical negligence can subpoena internal records, consult with independent medical experts, and hold hospitals accountable for systemic failures. These cases not only seek justice for one family but also push hospitals to improve standards and prevent future harm.
Holding Hospitals Accountable
Hospitals operate with enormous responsibility—and when they fail, the consequences can be catastrophic. The Sada v. Orlando Health case is a tragic reminder that accountability is often elusive without legal action. Families who pursue justice send a powerful message that preventable deaths cannot be dismissed as “unfortunate complications.”
When hospitals are held responsible, they are forced to confront the failures in communication, staffing, and equipment that contribute to medical errors. Successful legal actions can do more than provide compensation; they drive change in patient safety and transparency.
Contact Us Today
If you believe a hospital’s negligence caused serious injury or death to someone you love, the experienced attorneys at BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm are here to help. We will investigate your case, preserve crucial evidence, and fight to uncover the truth.
Schedule a consultation today by calling (954) 876-4344 or filling out the online form. We have offices in Weston, Coral Gables, and Daytona Beach.
Disclaimer: The information above is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and results are not guaranteed.