Deep vein thrombosis is the occurrence of blood clots deep within the body, usually in your leg. Left untreated, the blood clots can end up in other organs, like the lungs, heart, and brain.
People can develop DVT after a surgical procedure, long-term hospital stay, or an accident. Bakersfield residents or patients at a Bakersfield medical center may have ground to file a lawsuit if negligence by a healthcare provider caused them injuries from undiagnosed or untreated deep vein thrombosis.
If you are in need of advice and guidance from a deep vein thrombosis medical malpractice lawyer, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm. We can provide you with a free consultation and help you determine the best course of action.
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT can happen for numerous reasons, but certain people have a higher chance of developing the condition due to their lifestyle or a pre-existing medical issue. Being over the ag of 60, having a history of blood clots in your family, smoking, and being overweight are some of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of deep vein thrombosis.
Aside from natural causes, people can also develop blood clots after a serious accident, due to abuse and neglect in nursing homes, or negligent conduct by their doctor.
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The Connection between Accidents and Deep Vein Thrombosis
Getting hurt in an accident can put you at risk of DVT and other blood disorders. When your body experiences physical trauma, its natural reaction is to heal itself. This can cause all sorts of dysfunctions, like the formation of blood clots. This is why medical care right after an accident is essential, along with diagnostic tests, medications, and other treatments to prevent the patient from getting worse or developing new injuries.
Even if your injuries do not appear to be serious of life-threatening, make sure to get yourself checked out at a hospital if you were involved in an accident, such as a:
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Car crash
- Pedestrian accident
- Motorcycle / bicycle accident
- Hurt by a falling object
- Public transportation accident (bus and train accidents)
Nursing Home Abuse Resulting in DVT
Elderly patients with limited mobility can easily develop DVT, which is why the condition is so common in nursing homes and other places that specialize in geriatric care.
Restricted blood flow is usually the culprit when it comes to the development of deep vein thrombosis among nursing home patients. This is due to the fact that patients are restricted to their beds for long periods of time, and they are not monitored as well as they should be if the home is understaffed or poorly managed.
These are not excuses that justify neglect in a nursing home, particularly when staff members fail to exercise reasonable care, like using compression stockings, helping patients change positions in bed at regular intervals, and helping patients stand up and walk for short periods of time.
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Medical Malpractice
A diagnosis of DVT is preventable in many cases, but sadly, doctors and other medical professionals fail to notice the symptoms. These incidents are not uncommon at medical facilities in and around Bakersfield, especially when a patient is hospitalized for a serious injury or health condition.
The truth is, patients do not have the education and experience to diagnose and treat themselves, which is why they must rely on doctors and hospitals. Medical staff members have a duty to take certain measures and provide a specific level of care to all patients. Thus, if there is a failure to diagnose deep vein thrombosis or provide the right treatment, the patient may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms
DVT may not be apparent in some patients, but there are symptoms that healthcare providers must look out for, especially in the legs. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include:
- Pain and swelling
- Discoloration or redness
- Swollen veins
- Unusual warmth of the skin
Do not wait to seek medical attention if you are experiencing these symptoms. With early intervention, most cases of DVT are completely treatable, so the key is to see a doctor right away.
Complications of DVT
When a case of deep vein thrombosis is ignored or untreated, the patient will end up with serious, potentially fatal complications. This includes the patient developing pulmonary embolism, which is indicated by:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid pulse
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Coughing up blood
This condition is a medical emergency that is likely to kill the patient unless they receive immediate treatment. Death can also occur because of the following complications from DVT:
- Postphlebitic Syndrome – the blood clot causes restricted blood flow, which eventually results in necrosis, limited mobility, and other severe conditions
- Stroke – if the blood clot reaches your brain and stops the flow of blood, you can have a cerebral embolism, which accounts for 15% of all strokes. Many of these patients have the condition because of a blood clot that formed in the leg.
Compensation for Deep Vein Thrombosis Malpractice Victims
An experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Bakersfield can help you obtain monetary damages from a lawsuit against the medical practitioner and/or healthcare facility. The damages you may be eligible to receive are as follows:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and job benefits
- Future lost wages if you have lost the ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Cost of legal representation
Contact Our Team of Bakersfield Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Our law firm has a proven track record of going after negligent doctors and holding them accountable for the harm they inflict. Whether you are the injured victim or lost a family member to medical malpractice, you can count on us for skilled and aggressive representation.
As a law firm that works on contingency, we never ask clients to pay out of pocket for legal services. Once your settlement is recovered, a percentage of the funds is set aside to pay for attorney’s fees. That means we don’t make a cent unless you receive compensation from a medical malpractice claim.
We look forward to advising you of your rights and legal options, so call us today and schedule a free case review.
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