Local News

Video Shows Man's 16-Hour Wait For Medical Help

State Officials Still Investigating Parkland After Man's Death

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― It has been nearly two weeks since a Dallas man died in the emergency room at Parkland Hospital after waiting nearly 16 hours for medical attention. Friday, officials released video from inside the waiting room. They also spoke about the federal investigation.

An attorney for the hospital said the Department of State Health Services "could not substantiate the allegations" against Parkland. The attorney added that the hospital has been cleared by the state.

However, DSHS officials say the investigation is still open.

Friday, Parkland officials released the surveillance video from inside the emergency room on September 19. It shows 58-year-old Michael Herrera checking in at 5:17 that evening. He was complaining of pain from a longtime hernia.

An hour later he was taken to a medical triage room where his vitals were checked. Then he was sent back to the waiting room.

At 7:02 p.m. he can be seen in the video buying a soda. Just before 8 p.m. he walked outside toward the smoking area.

Three hours later, a staff member visits with him. "You don't see him there getting any type of medical attention," said Primo Marquez, Herrera's nephew. "They're not checking vital signs or anything."

The next day at 9:32 a.m. he was taken to a room. There are no cameras in the area where patients are treated so the video of Herrera ends there.

Three hours later he collapsed in his room and died from complications of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Herrera's family still blames Parkland for his death, saying the hospital did nothing to help him. The family says the video clearly shows a man in pain.

"Looking at him pacing back and forth, I know that he's in pain because he's the type that he stayed down and he wouldn't get up," said Marquez.

They also say they are planning to sue over the ordeal.

Marquez says his uncle deserved better and his family has hired an attorney determined to make sure something like this never happens again.

"If this can change the system just a little bit, then my uncle doesn't die in vain," he said.

Parkland officials also say a shortage of beds - not staff - caused the delay and provides an example of why November's bond election to build a new hospital needs to be approved by voters.


Michael Herrera's Family Released The Following Statement:

Who did the test!? Parkland did. Therefore, we expected the response that was given today. We did not expect justice from Parkland.

What we are seeking is a change for future patients. Mike went to Parkland ER with abdominal pain and was classified as a level five, but with his medical history other doctors say he should have been classified as a level three. A patient that was also sitting in the ER in pain tried not once, not twice, but three times to get help for both Mike and themselves. However, this person was told they did not meet the criteria to be taken back yet.

Mr. Anderson, when Mike died did he meet the criteria to be seen by a doctor? On the news two days ago, it showed a Dr. that has a grief with Parkland Hospital. He warned Parkland that someone was going to die in their ER if they did not change the way things were being run. To our great misfortune, it was Mike and God knows who else. If they can live with the lies and know that they devastated a family, then that is on them but they cannot get away with it. They will have to answer for it one day. Parkland let Mike sit in their waiting room and die.

The Herrera Family

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