I was diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease about 4 years ago, and the doctors told me I needed to undergo catherization and get stents and balloons put into the arteries to prevent a heart attack. I underwent several of these procedures over the following two years, and have since developed neuropathy in my feet and my lower legs. Recently, I found out from a doctor friend that the neuropathy was likely caused by by the many catherisations.
Also, it turns out that the stents and catherizations are not helping with the heart disease. Is this a case of medical malpractice? Can I sue the hospital for the loss of feeling in my legs and feet?
Answer:
Depending on the standard of care and risks associated with the treatment you received, their may or may not be a case for medical malpractice. There are two possibilities for negligence which could be the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
1. Was the Treatment Correct?
If you and your medical malpractice lawyer can establish that the treatment you received was not the correct choice given your condition, then there may be a case for negligence in that the decision to catherize was a deviation from the standard of care.
2. Was the Treatment Performed as Necessary?
Alternatively (or additionally), there may be a claim for medical negligence in the performance of the doctor(s) that treated you. If the catherization was not performed with the required level of care, then nerve damage may have been done. If the stents and balloon were not inserted and positioned properly and with adequate care, this may also be a form of negligence.
If either of these cases can be established in your case, then you will have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer to find out whether yours is a good case which deserves civil justice.
Good luck.
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Posted by Staff Writer on 03 Mar 2010