QUESTION
Do I have a medical malpractice case after having an outpatient procedure for large ruptured disc and svere radiculopathy 7 days later spinal fusion?
Asked on Feb 13th, 2013 on Medical Malpractice - Georgia
More details to this question:
first surgery outpatient microdisectomy for large L-5, S-1 disc rupture and left leg radiculopathy and cauda equina syndrome. Doctor pulled several large disc fragments and cut a blood vessel causing large amount of blood loss. Told me he got everything out and there may have been some small retained fragments however none were neurocompressive. I woke up in even more severe pain could not control my bladder while there. The doctor assured me nothing was wrong he got everything out. I was screaming/crying in excruciating pain. Doctor told my husband to get me iron pills for little bllood loss I was discharged and told to go home and walk immediately I continued to worsen and . 5 days later admitted through ER with transfusion level hemoglobin at 6 and severe pain. Doctor did 2 surgery I had multiple huge retained fragments S-2 nerve root was sever displaced which was neurocompressive I have nerve damage in leg, pain and now disabled. First surgery was not standard of care and he knew
1 ANSWER
Catastrophic Injury Attorney serving Roseland, NJ
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John J. Ratkowitz
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Yes, it sure sounds like you have a case that should be investigated. Obviously, you would not expect to need a second surgery to fix what was not repaired in the first within five days of spinal surgery. Additionally, a hemoglobin level less than 7 is a crisis itself.
If you want to investigate a malpractice case, you should contact a local medical malpractice attorney (one in your state). They take these cases on a contingency basis which means you only have to pay if you succeed. Additionally, initial consultations are usually free. You can use the "Find a Lawyer" service through this website to research medical malpractice attorneys. Then, visit each attorney's website and look for a firm that has a record of successful verdicts, ideally with experience in cases that involve your medical issue. If you are unable to find a lawyer who meets these qualifications within your state, sometimes you may contact an out of state lawyer who can refer you to a qualified attorney in your state while providing support related to the issues of medicine.
Below are some articles you may find helpful. They are written for a New Jersey audience (where I practice) but the ideas discussed in these articles usually apply in most other jurisdictions as well.
Click here for an article that discusses the three main questions I ask when deciding whether to investigate a potential medical malpractice case.
Click here for an article that explains what you can expect when filing a medical malpractice case.
Click here and here for more information about me.
Answered on Feb 14th, 2013 at 11:48 AM