Newspaper articles of judo injuries resulting in death: 1984 – 2010 [20]
Iwate Medical University sued by parents for not conducting necessary treatment: their son dies the next day
The Mainichi Shimbun
February 16, 2002
The parents of a 17-year-old son (at the time) filed a lawsuit in the Morioka District Court against Iwate Medical University for not conducting necessary examination and treatment of their son at Iwate Medical University Hospital, resulting in his death the following day. They sought damage compensation of 10 million yen.
Their son felt sick during training at an after-school judo club at his high school on Apr. 13, 1996. After he came home his parents took him to the emergency center of Iwate Medical University Hospital. A doctor interviewed him, took electrocardiogram, and said there was nothing to worry about. He prescribed sleeping pills for his fatigue and let him go home. His parents who were worried asked the hospital the next day to admit their son. The hospital refused, and later that afternoon he died.
The cause of death was arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This is where a part of the muscle layer of the right ventricular wall is replaced by fat, therefore heart function deteriorates. The plaintiff claimed that the hospital neglected its duty to conduct necessary examination and treatment, thus leading to the death of his son.
The hospital said that they believe the physicians had done their best, and that while both sides have had discussions, led by the court, the plaintiff had not accepted their view.
