A forensic physician testified in court that healthcare professionals ignored critical warning signs during Diego Maradona's home hospitalization prior to his death in 2020.
Diego Maradona showed unheeded "warning signs" during the home hospitalization leading up to his death in 2020, a forensic physician testified at a court trial in San Isidro, north of Buenos Aires.
Carlos Cassinelli, a forensic physician on a medical board analyzing records of Maradona's health, told the court that the Argentine football legend experienced a progressive deterioration following his discharge from the hospital. Cassinelli noted key warning signs, including edema in the lower limbs, swelling in the fingers, shortness of breath, hypertension, and an abnormally fast heart rate.
"Nobody went to see what that swelling was about" even though it posed "a life-threatening risk," Cassinelli testified. "We believe these warning signs were not taken into account by the doctors because their approach did not change." He added that he believed home hospitalization was a mistake and stated that the former Barcelona and Napoli superstar endured roughly 12 hours of agony before passing away.
Seven healthcare professionals have been on trial in Argentina since mid-April over potential negligence. The World Cup winner died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema—a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs—two weeks after undergoing surgery.
The accused deny responsibility for his death, claiming that Maradona, who battled cocaine and alcohol addictions for years, succumbed to natural causes.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.