Family Claims 2-Year-Old Boy Fatally Overdosed After Florida Hospital Allegedly Gave Him ‘10 Times’ His Previous Dosage

A Florida family has filed a lawsuit claiming their 2-year-old son died after a hospital gave him a dangerously incorrect dosage of medication.

The family of De’Markus Page submitted a wrongful death lawsuit against UF Health Shands in Gainesville, Fla., in Alachua County Circuit Court on Nov. 6, according to NTD, which shared a copy of the filing.

The complaint states that Page was initially taken to AdventHealth Ocala Hospital in March 2024 after experiencing “persistent crying, diarrhea” and a sudden loss of appetite. Medical staff diagnosed rhinovirus/enterovirus and discovered low potassium levels, which were treated with IV medication.

Due to his condition, Page was transferred to the emergency department at UF Health Shands for more advanced care. There, doctors again identified “significantly altered electrolyte levels” and “dangerously low potassium.”

According to the lawsuit, the hospital staff “failed to recognise and appreciate De’Markus’ significant critical care requirements,” including the need for constant monitoring and additional lifesaving precautions.

The filing alleges that a serious error occurred when a physician ordered an incorrect dosage of oral potassium phosphate — 10 times the dosage he had previously been prescribed. The decimal point in the original order of 1.5 mmol was allegedly removed, resulting in a new dosage of 15 mmol twice daily. The family also claims that during this time there was no telemetry monitoring or regular electrolyte checks.

The complaint states that De’Markus received two high-risk overdoses of the medication, going into cardiac arrest within 30 minutes of the second dose. A “Code Blue” was called, but the lawsuit claims the medical response was delayed and mishandled, including multiple unsuccessful attempts to intubate the toddler’s airway. It reportedly took about 20 minutes to secure his breathing tube due to a lack of proper equipment.

The family says De’Markus remained on life support for two weeks without improvement. Medical teams later determined that he had suffered extensive and irreversible brain injury due to oxygen loss during the incident. He died on March 18, 2024.

“It’s been extremely difficult since the passing of my son because to this day, I still have not known what happened,” his mother, Dominique Page, told local outlet WCJB. “I was never told. When I asked, it was always a vague, ‘I do not know. I do not know.’ I still have nightmares about what happened.”

The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000, including medical expenses, funeral costs, and compensation for the family’s losses.