TAMPA - The mother of a deceased Hillsborough County man sued the Tampa General Hospital and other defendants for alleged medical malpractice that resulted in her son's death, according to documents filed on March 5 in the Hillsborough County Judicial Court.
Christopher Lee Pedraza Jr. was the seven-year-old son of plaintiff Mary Hayes. According to the lawsuit, Pedraza was admitted to the Tampa General Hospital on January 18, 2020. He had recently been suffering from falling, vomiting, feverishness and tachycardia and had been diagnosed with influenza.
He also had a history of heart infection requiring treatment.
The lawsuit says that defendant Dr. Andrea Suen, a pediatrician employed at Tampa General, was Pedraza's attending physician, and monitoring him. She administered fluids and planned a transfer to Shands Hospital for more extensive care, the suit says.
However, less than 12 hours after admittance, Pedraza lost his pulse and was pronounced dead of cardiac arrest.
The defendants are charged with medical negligence and vicarious liability. In addition to Tampa General and Dr. Suen, defendants include Inphynet Contracting Services and Florida Health Sciences.
Hayes is seeking damages for her son's medical expenses and her family's suffering. She is represented by the Law Firm of Diane Zuckerman LLC of Tampa and Stratigakos Law PA of Tampa.