My husband was being treated for an excess of iron in his blood, and the doctor order that he get weekly blood drawings but he never followed up with the results of the treatment. He went on going to the hospital every week for almost 6 months, and the nurse would just keep on taking blood. During this whole time, he was getting weaker and weaker, he lost 45 pounds, couldn't help out around the house and finally he asked to talk to the doctor. It turns out the doctor had forgot about the treatment, but the nurse kept doing it because the doctor had ordered it.
Since then, my husband has died from complications resulting from severe immune deficiency. It all started because the doctor didn't follow up with the procedure he had ordered. Is this a case of medical negligence? Can I sue the doctor or the hospital for his death?
Answer: (1)
This is an unfortunate scenario that results from overworked medical professionals, handling too many patients at one time. A failure to follow up with treatment is a form of medical negligence for which the doctor may be held accountable.
In terms of medical negligence, it appears, at least on the surface, that the liability for your husbands death can be placed on both the doctor that ordered the treatment and the hospital. It not a clear cut case of medical negligence, but certainly one that merits talking to a medical malpractice lawyer.
You may be entitled to receive compensation for the loss of your husband, all associated medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages.
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Posted by Staff Writer on 21 Jan 2010