Paralysis is an extremely damaging and life-altering injury that affects thousands of people.
Paralysis is an extremely damaging and life-altering injury that affects thousands of people. It is difficult enough when you are paralyzed due to a stroke, an accident, or a genetic condition. However, it is an entirely separate situation when the paralysis is caused by a medical professional’s mistake. When a doctor or nurse deviates from the standard of care and injures or harms the patient, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. In these cases, the patient may pursue compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here are some of the medical errors that can lead to paralysis.
Surgical Errors
Usually, when a patient is paralyzed due to a surgeon’s error, nothing can be done to remedy it. Some ways that medical errors can cause paralysis include:
- Incision errors: Precision is critical when performing surgery. If a surgeon is careless or unskilled and makes an accidental incision or an improper cut, it can possibly lead to tissue or nerve damage that may cause paralysis.
- Anesthetic errors: An anesthesiologist usually has the responsibility of monitoring a patient’s vital signs during surgery. If they are not paying close attention, they may not be aware that the patient isn’t getting enough oxygen to the brain. This is known as hypoxia, which can result in paralysis.
- Incompetence: Sometimes, surgeons run into complications during surgery and make preventable mistakes because they do not have enough experience in a particular area of surgery. Unfortunately, a doctor’s incompetence can lead to a critical mistake that can leave a patient paralyzed.
Misdiagnoses
Another medical error that can cause paralysis is an inaccurate diagnosis or a complete failure to diagnose. Also, if there is a delay in the diagnosis of a medical condition, paralysis can occur. For instance, if meningitis is not quickly diagnosed, it can result in paralysis and other serious conditions, such as hearing loss and brain damage. In worst case scenarios, death is possible. Missed or improper diagnosis of spinal cord tumors can result in paralysis due to spinal cord compression and other issues. If brain tumors are not quickly and accurately diagnosed, they may result in facial or body paralysis. Traumatic injury to the spinal cord following an accident or impact can result in paralysis and must be diagnosed immediately.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, or call us at 410-843-3476, for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.