In the last century, the field of medicine has made tremendous progress improving lives and dramatically increasing life expectancy. No one doubts that current medicine has overall been beneficial to humankind. Despite all the advances in medicine, however, Connecticut residents probably will not find it surprising to learn that medical errors still happen and can cause families and their loved ones harm. In some cases death may also result.
When a medical error results in harm to patients those affected may not only be devastated in the short-term but may have long-term care needs for the rest of their lives as a result of the medical error. Medical expenses directly stemming from a medical error can be daunting. Failure to diagnose a medical condition in a timely manner is one example of a medical error which can result in a worsened condition because of delayed treatment and potentially result in large medical expenses.
In fact, recently a 59-year-old woman whose legs and arms had to be amputated following a failure of doctors to diagnose a uterine infection in a timely manner has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital where she allegedly received negligent care. The woman alleges that despite visiting the hospital on three different occasions only days apart in 2012 with pain in the abdomen and pelvic regions, the hospital staff discharged her with only painkillers and asked to follow-up with her doctor. Though she was scheduled for a hysterectomy by her doctor, said operation was delayed due to the woman developing an infection.
During her third visit, the woman had septic shock due to an E-coli infection in her uterine tissue. As a result of the sepsis her legs and arms had to be amputated. She alleges that the hospital staff failed to adequately perform a pelvic exam and failed to diagnose her serious condition. As a result of the delayed treatment and failure to diagnose her condition in a timely manner, the woman now claims that she will be dependent on others for the rest of her life.
Source: Sun, “Baltimore woman sues Hopkins after losing limbs,” Andrea McDaniels, Dec. 30, 2014
