Potential Causes of Wrongful Amputations
Errors in diagnosis, surgery, or medical treatment can cause or result in wrongful amputations.
Undergoing the loss of a limb is a life altering event. What can make an already traumatic situation even worse is finding out the amputation was avoidable, and only occurred as a result of medical malpractice or negligence. In some cases, surgical amputation is a necessary procedure to save a life. In others, a partial amputation is required to preserve some function of a limb. Physicians often turn to amputation if an extremity cannot be saved due to a tragic accident or underlying disease or condition, such as diabetes or an infection. However, errors in diagnosis, surgery, or medical treatment can cause or result in a wrongful amputation. The lawyers at Cardaro & Peek can help you or a loved one recover damages as a result of a wrongful amputation.
Cause of Wrongful Amputation
There are many reasons that surgical amputations occur . For example, motor vehicle accidents are by far the most common cause for necessary surgical amputations. But, if a doctor acts negligently and it results in loss of limb to their patient, there may be a case for medical malpractice. A clear example would be amputating the wrong limb. Other common instances of malpractice resulting in a wrongful amputation are:
- Leaving a medical tool inside a patient’s body, e.g. a sponge, that turns into an untreated infection, which results in a need to amputate
- Prescribing the wrong medication – most typically incorrect dosage or method of administration – and failing to monitor a worsening infection
- Misdiagnosed infection
- Use of a contaminated medical device causing an infection
- Failure to diagnose and treat postoperative blood clots
Another accompanying factor in wrongful amputations is often the patient’s lack of informed consent . Even if doctors believe an amputation is the best course of action, the patient and their family deserves to know all of the options before making the decision to proceed or not.
The Costs of Losing a Limb
Losing a limb under any circumstance will take a physical, mental, emotional, and financial toll on an individual and their family. Amputees can face damages, including pain and suffering, or reduced quality of life. Prosthetics, physical therapy, and additional care are expensive requirements following an amputation. The economic loss is often furthered by lost wages and earning capacity.
Contact The Law Offices of Cardaro & Peek, LLC Today
Do you believe that you or your loved one has suffered as a result of medical malpractice or medical neglect? You need to talk to an experienced team of local lawyers today.
The lawyers at Cardaro & Peek, LLC have the experience and resources necessary to investigate and litigate all types of medical claims throughout Maryland and Washington D.C. Cardaro & Peek, LLC has medical personnel on staff and has access to nationally recognized, board-certified physicians and other experts, to assist in the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of all types of medical malpractice claims. If you or a loved one have experienced malpractice, give us a call at 410-752-6166. Please visit our website www.cardarolaw.com and follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn for more information.
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