After surgery, patients are often given detailed instructions on what to do and what to avoid to reduce the risk of complications. Some postoperative complications, including pulmonary embolism, can be life-threatening. If a healthcare provider fails to educate you about warning signs or does not appropriately respond when you report concerning symptoms, the consequences can become far more serious.
If you suffered a pulmonary embolism as a result of a doctor’s negligence, our skilled medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you are entitled to while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Fort Washington pulmonary embolism malpractice lawyer.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot that travels from another part of the body, usually the legs, and ends up in the lungs. When a clot lodges in the lungs, it can cause damage to the lung tissue below, potentially leading to difficulty breathing, pulmonary hypertension (a type of high blood pressure), and even death.
Common symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:
One of the most common causes of pulmonary embolism that our Fort Washington attorneys see is post-surgical clots, occurring when doctors fail to prescribe anticoagulants (blood thinners) after surgery.
Another frequent cause is misdiagnosis. PE has been called “the great imitator” because its non-specific symptoms mimic other disorders, such as anxiety, pneumonia, or asthma. If doctors fail to take thorough medical histories, run specific tests for PE, or identify risk factors like recent surgery or a history of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), they can send a patient home without proper treatment, leading to organ damage, stroke, or death.
Other causes can include:
Other risk factors for pulmonary embolism can include pregnancy, hormonal birth control, high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Doctors should monitor all patients with these conditions for PE, and failing to do so can constitute negligence.
Proving liability in a Fort Washington pulmonary embolism malpractice case requires you and your attorney to show that your doctor acted in a way that fell short of the standard of care doctors are expected to give their patients. Our team at Friedman Schuman Layser knows the steps needed to prove liability in a malpractice claim.
Medical malpractice claims are complex and require proving that the doctor did not do what was reasonably necessary to prevent injury or illness. You must also show that this was the actual cause of the harm. In Pennsylvania, filing a malpractice claim requires a “certificate of merit” from a medical expert. We can help you obtain a certificate that shows your case has legal merit and collect other essential evidence to bring your case to court.
Other individuals can be involved in a medical malpractice claim as well. Nurses, hospital staff, and others involved with your pre- and post-operative care can all have some liability in your case. Your attorney can review your medical records and establish the chain of causation that led to your pulmonary embolism and injury, ensuring all at-fault parties are held accountable.
Whether you are recovering from surgery or from another medical procedure, you expect your healthcare provider to deliver attentive, appropriate care. Unfortunately, substandard or negligent treatment can sometimes lead to serious complications, including conditions that may be more severe than the original issue.
If you or a loved one has suffered a pulmonary embolism or another injury related to a blood clot, schedule a consultation with a Fort Washington pulmonary embolism malpractice lawyer at Friedman Schuman Layser.
