One thing about being a medical malpractice attorney is that you learn to worry when loved ones have surgeries, because you know what can happen. And what can happen, isn’t always good.
In the 20 years I have been practicing plaintiff (that means I represent patients) medical malpractice law in Virginia, I have seen some very sad things occur after surgeries. For example:
- Young man suffer from pulmonary embolism and died when the urgent care and orthopedic surgeon failed to appreciate the signs and symptoms of PE after a knee surgery
- Young woman suffer from pulmonary embolism and die weeks after a pregnancy
- Middle-aged man suffers from pulmonary embolism and lived because hospital failed to give him foot pumps and mild blood thinners while in hospital for an infection
Pulmonary embolism or PE is usually caused by a surgery, trauma or non-movement, and a clot begins to form in the legs and travels to the lungs. The results can be significant and are often deadly.
Medical providers have a duty to act reasonably in preventing PE from occurring, which can mean prescribing blood thinners for some patients after surgery, or while in the hospital. In addition, it can mean teaching patients to appreciate the signs and symptoms of PE so if it does occur after a trauma or surgery, patients can seek immediate care. Finally doctors need to diagnose and treat PE when it happens – and fast.
My partner Dan Frith explains more about Virginia law, and diagnosing (or failing to diagnose) PE and how our often handles this kind of tragic but preventable complication.
If you have a loved one who suffered a PE after a trauma or surgery, and was caused great harm, we would be honored to help you and answer any questions you may have about Virginia law, medical malpractice etc.