Orthopedic medicine is the specialty that deals with disease or injury to bones and joints. Issues in orthopedic medicine include failure to diagnose fractures, improper treatment of fractures, and problems during joint replacement - but there are also other aspects to orthopedic care that can result in serious injury to an individual.
People who have fractures are at an increased risk of developing a potentially deadly complication known as pulmonary embolism. This is when a blood clot develops and blocks blood-flow between the heart and the lungs. There are medications and precautions that can prevent this occurrence, and orthopedists are supposed to know this.
Orthopedic operations are also just that – operations. All risks of negligence during an operative procedure come into play, including anesthesia errors, nursing errors, and surgical mistakes (such as negligently cutting nerves or blood vessels).
An example of an orthopedic case handled by us is the case of a gentleman who sustained a hip fracture, which required a complex series of plates and screws. Following the procedure the man was on bed rest and experienced shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. They increased his oxygen, but failed to diagnose the real problem – he was developing clots in his leg that were traveling to his lungs. He eventually died when a massive clot caused a pulmonary embolus. An confidential settlement was reached.
If you suspect that you were injured due to the negligence of a health care professional, contact us. We are experienced in handling medical malpractice matters and will consult with you at no charge