Many people rightfully place decisions about their health in the hands of their doctors. Doctors and other health care providers receive special training in order to provide accurate assessments of their patients’ health and offer advice that can save lives. Unfortunately, recommended medical procedures are not always correctly performed and physicians and medical facilities occasionally make fatal mistakes.
Failed medical procedure
An Ohio woman was advised by her doctor to undergo a medical procedure because her life was in danger. The woman has a rare medical condition where she has a double uterus and, although she previously bore a child safely in one of the two uteruses, a second pregnancy occurred in the unstable uterus, jeopardizing her life and the life of her unborn child.
Faced the very real threat of losing her life, the life of her unborn child and leaving her young son without a mother, she agonized over the horrible decision. She ultimately decided to terminate the pregnancy so she would be alive to care for her preschool-aged son.
The doctor who performed her abortion told her the procedure went well and she went home to mourn her loss. One week later, she sought treatment at a local emergency room and found out she was still pregnant. For the next number of months, she was in and out of the hospital and lived in constant fear for her life and the life of her unborn child.
Fortunately, she ultimately gave birth to a healthy baby girl, an event she and many others are calling a miracle. While the mother rejoices that she and her newborn are alive and healthy, she brought a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical facility that botched her termination attempt.
Holding negligent parties responsible
No matter what your position is regarding certain types of medical procedures, there is a standard of medical care that must be upheld. If healthcare professionals or medical facilities negligently perform their duties, misdiagnose an illness or injury or simply fail to do what they are supposed to do, the responsible parties must be held liable.
The reason for medical malpractice lawsuits is two-fold. The injured person or surviving family of those who die from medical mistakes are entitled to compensation for their losses. Such losses may include medical expenses, wage loss, disability, long-term care and pain and suffering. Secondly, the physician or care facility must be deterred from making the same or similar mistake in the future. Deterrence may come in the form of punitive damages, loss of medical license or fines.
If you or someone you love suffers from negligent care, you may be entitled to compensation. Consult an experienced medical malpractice lawyer and help not only your family and yourself, but all others who may come into harm’s way as well. Attorneys knowledgeable about personal injury cases can help.