There are times when a patient develops an aneurysm while in the care of a hospital. In such an instance, the patient or patient's family may have a potential lawsuit against the physician and the hospital for an injury due to the aneurysm. The lawsuit is typically based upon medical malpractice.
What is an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a bulging area in the wall of a blood vessel which causes an abnormal widening. If the aneursym is left untreated, the aneurysm can get larger and rupture, causing bleeding or death. In a hospital setting, trauma following surgery or an infection can cause an aneurysm to develop, especially an abdominal aeortic or illiac aneurysm.
How an Aneurysm Lawsuit Against a Hospital Can Arise
There are various scenarios as to how a medical malpractice lawsuit can arise against a hospital based upon an aneurysm. Some common scenarios include, but are not limited to, the following:
- failure to identify symptoms of an infection which results in an aneurysm
- failure to treat an infection which leads to an aneurysm
- causing trauma to a patient which leads to an aneurysm
- failure to read a diagnostic test for an aneurysm
- failure to identify symptoms of an aneurysm
- failure to order appropriate tests for an aneurysm
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failure to communicate diagnostic test results of aneurysm to patient and patient dies
What Must Be Proven in a Medical Malpractice Case Involving Aneurysms
While every jurisdiction is different with respect to what must be proven in a medical malpractice case involving aneuryms, the following is a general outline of the requirements of a medical malpractice case:
- a hospital, physician and/or other medical personnel employed by the hospital deviated from the reasonable medical standards of care
- this deviation resulted in an injury to the patient (the aneurysm)
- the injury has caused a permanent disability or has resulted in the death of the patient
Getting Legal Help
If one has sustained an aneurysm while in the hospital or immediately following release from a hospital stay, one may seek to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can not only review one's case in order to determine what options one may have available, but also a seasoned legal practitioner will be able to advise as to the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances. Moreover, an attorney can help one to attain a fair and reasonable compensation package in order to financially compensate one for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and more that one has to endure as a result of the hospital's malpractice.
