Pulmonary Embolism Medical Malpractice Claims
A leading cause of preventable deaths during hospitalization is due to pulmonary embolism (or “PE”). This is the blockage or blood clot of the main artery of the lung. Oftentimes, this is the result of a blockage in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) which travels through the blood into the lungs. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism are incredibly clear. They range from shortness of breath to sharp chest pain, rapid pulse, intense sweating, and anxiety among other signs. Medical professionals are trained to recognize the signs and stages of a pulmonary embolism.
Although the signs of PE are pretty clear, unfortunately, doctors sometimes fail to suspect the possibility of pulmonary embolism, as symptoms of the condition are misunderstood or minimized by medical staff as a less serious condition. The delay in treatment can be deadly.
When Does Pulmonary Medical Malpractice Take Place?
Pulmonary medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider deviates from the accepted medical standards of care, causing injury or death to a patient.
Here are some common medical malpractice issues for pulmonary embolisms:
- Failure to prevent the blood clots: Doctors have a duty to prevent deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, or blood clots from forming in the legs. When a patient is immobilized, they run the risk of developing DVT. Medical professionals can prevent DVT by getting the patient moving, massaging calves, and utilizing blood thinning medicines.
- Misdiagnosis: In some cases, a medical professional may not recognize the common signs of blood clots of DVT. Diagnosis usually follows an ultrasound or Doppler device that shows veins in the signs. Early detection is incredibly important for preventing DVT and pulmonary embolisms.
- Not treating blood clots: When treated properly, blood clots in the legs can be controlled correctly, so they don’t get bigger and move to the lungs. If a medical professional fails to control a blood clot properly, this can result in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Consult With An Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you believe you or a family member has been seriously injured from medical malpractice or negligence by a doctor, hospital, nurse or health care provider, it’s imperative to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney. The attorneys at Moraitakis & Kushel, LLP, have over 80 years of combined legal experience and have dealt with the various ins and outs of many medical malpractice cases. We’ve helped individuals across the country, get the compensation they deserve by delivering proven results.
Call us at 404-973-0341 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation.