Questions Surround Washington D.C. Man's Death

Washington - Authorities are currently investigating whether a District man's sudden death could have been averted if Emergency Medical Services personnel had not misdiagnosed his condition as mere acid reflux.

According to Lolitha Givens, mother of 39-year-old Ed Givens, he was a healthy father of two teenaged boys with no history of heart trouble or breathing problems. His general good health was one reason why his complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath Tuesday night concerned her.

Givens called an ambulance, and EMS personnel examined Givens. After hearing his symptoms, they diagnosed him with acid reflux and suggested an antacid, according to Ed's brother.

Mere hours later, Givens was dead.

"To wake up and find him dead on the floor is breathtaking, just breathtaking," said Lolitha Givens. "The thing that gets me is the ambulance refused to take him. They convinced us he was OK."

As extended family members arrived at the Givens home to comfort one another, they expressed outrage that Ed Givens was not taken to the hospital, even as a precaution.

"They came, they looked at him, they left him and six hours later he's dead," said Sabrina Givens, Ed's cousin.

"I feel they could have done better," said Anthony Givens, Ed's brother. "They should have took him at his word and took him to the hospital to make sure everything was OK."

The cause of death in the case will be determined by the medical examiner after an autopsy, and an investigation is now underway to review whether proper procedures were followed.

Republished with permission from WJLA-TV