The family of a young man who died after an aneurysm was dismissed as a “minor tension headache” has filed a $23 million wrongful death lawsuit, saying his death was “preventable.”

Brandon Harris, 26, sought treatment for an “unprecedented,” sudden, severe headache at Providence Urgent Care in Sherwood, Ore., on March 23, according to the lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE. Harris, who did not have a history of headaches, was struggling with multiple symptoms, including memory loss, vertigo, dizziness, neck pain, and vomiting, and “shooting head pain when coughing and sneezing.” Per the complaint, “Brandon’s presentation was classic for a bleeding cerebral aneurysm.”

A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel, per the Mayo Clinic, which, if ruptured or bleeding can “quickly become life-threatening and requires emergency treatment.” A sudden, severe headache is the primary sign of an aneurysm, but other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck, confusion, and blurry or double vision.

Providence Urgent Care in Sherwood, Oregon.Google
Screenings or tests were not ordered, the complaint alleges. Instead, the provider asked “ ‘Why are you here?’ and told Brandon that his headaches were due to anxiety and panic attacks,” per the documents. Harris was sent home after being told it was a “minor tension headache.” He wasn’t advised to follow up with a specialist, per the lawsuit. Meanwhile, he had a “subarachnoid hemorrhage that crushed the base of his brain.”

Three days later, on March 26, Harris was found unresponsive by his fiancée. He was pronounced dead that night due to a ruptured aneurysm. Per the complaint, “Brandon’s death was preventable. Had the standard of care been met, the subarachnoid hemorrhage would have been diagnosed and treated in time to save his life.”

Related Stories
State of California Sues Hospital for Denying Abortion, Allegedly Offering ‘Bucket and Towels’

Woman Sues After Doctor Gives Her Unwanted Breast Implants Following Double Mastectomy

Our new app is here! Free, fun and full of exclusives. Scan to download now!

A representative for Providence Urgent Care told PEOPLE in a statement that “Providence does not have a comment on pending litigation.”

The family is suing for $23 million. “Brandon Harris died and sustained significant physical and mental pain and suffering prior to his death,” the complaint says. And as the family’s lawyer, Jeffrey Young, told The Oregonian, “They’re heartbroken, and they’re upset that more wasn’t done for their son.”