Receiving medical treatment in Kentucky and throughout the United States can sometimes be confusing. Patients are often required to see multiple specialists and trust that their different physicians are adequately coordinating their care for the best possible outcome. Unfortunately, there are many cases where physicians fail to coordinate a patient’s care, leaving patients at risk for harm. One man in another state has been awarded $40 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit against his providers.
The man suffered a rare genetic disorder that made his blood prone to forming blood clots throughout his body. He was often on prescribed medication to prevent blood clots from forming and any resulting complications that clots could cause such as strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms and more. Although the blood thinners were a necessary treatment for the man to maintain life, it made it tricky for physicians to perform invasive procedures. Due to the man’s complicated case, physician coordination would have been vital.
Unfortunately, the man suffered unusual symptoms and required some tests that required he temporarily stop his medication. Before his test could be performed, he began to suffer complications from clots. Somewhere in the process, more tests were ordered that required him to be off his anticoagulant medication despite one physican’s recommendation that he should resume it. As a result, the man suffered severe blood clots and eventually required his leg to be amputated. The jury in his case agreed that his care was inadequate and awarded him a monetary judgment of $40 million.
In a medical age where patients are required to coordinate much of their own care, it is understandable how some patients may suffer from unnecessary medical malpractice. Malpractice may result in physical harm to the patient, and unexpected additional medical treatment and expenses. Unplanned medical expenses can escalate quickly. Patients who suspect they may be victims of malpractice could benefit from having an experienced attorney in Kentucky review the specifics of their case to determine legal options.
Source:Â providencejournal.com, “Jury awards $40 million to North Providence man in malpractice suit against R.I. Hospital“, Katie Mulvaney, Sept. 22, 2017