I was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of meningitis and West Nile Virus. I was intubated the first time for 6 days and after removal of the tube I developed an infection in my throat. I also was having respiratory problems. After many medications, it still didn't go away. There was a discussion if I needed to be on a ventilator or whether a tracheotomy would be the better idea. Once more I was intubated for 5 days.
After nearly a month in hospital, I was discharged. I was still having problems breathing, and after seeing every doctor in the same practice and and ENT, it was determined I had traceal stenosis due to intubation.
After many attempts to clear away the infection and scar tissue using lasering and steroids, we had no choice but to do a tracheotomy. Since that time I have had over 9 surgeries to try and correct a multitude of breathing and voice problems.
All the specialists I see, continue to tell me this is a rare occurrence that shouldn't have happened. I feel if the doctors would have trached me in the hospital, while I was fighting this throat infection, I wouldn’t be here now. The long term outlook is uncertain, because of the continuing problems I am having.
Answer:
Your question is a bit unclear, but it seems as though the injuries you've suffered are a result of the multiple intubations, and you feel they should have been avoided. In order to have a valid medical malpractice case, you and your attorney will need to prove that the intubations should not have been done, and that will require expert testimony by a doctor.
If the investigation proves that the doctors were negligent in their decision to intubate instead of performing a tracheotomy, then you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Your best bet is to talk to a local medical malpractice lawyer. They have medical doctors on staff or nearby that can investigate the case and determine if medical negligence occured.
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Posted by Staff Writer on 25 Jan 2010