HARTFORD, Conn. -- Hartford Hospital must pay $1.5 million to the family of a woman who died in its emergency room after being told she was fine and to go home, the family's attorney said.

Attorney Joel Faxon told Hartford affiliate WFSB-TV the lawsuit has been working its way through court for the last four years and stems from an incident in 2004.

Caroline Johnston walked into Hartford Hospital in March 2004 complaining of chest pain, vomiting and diarrhea, Faxon said. She never walked out.

“She died in the emergency room while waiting for a cardiologist while other doctors had declared she was fine and could go home,” Faxon said.

Johnston was discharged from the emergency room, but demanded to see another doctor.

Faxon said seven hours later, when doctors checked in on Johnston, she was unresponsive. Faxon said potassium would have saved her life.

Two years after Johnston’s death, her family filed a lawsuit. After a two-week trial this month, the jury decided Friday that the Johnstons should get $1.55 million from Hartford Hospital.

The family's attorney said the decision provides some relief for Johnston’s husband, Harry, a truck driver in East Hartford.

“You got two young kids there, it’s very difficult for him to earn a way to pay for things the family needs and keep a roof over their head,” Faxon said.

Hartford Hospital declined to comment.

Faxon said the lawsuit may be over, but the pain of missing a mother and a wife will probably never end.

“They’ve got pictures all over the house now. It’s a very sad situation for them,” he said.

In addition to her husband, Johnston left behind two sons under the age of 12.