Although thousands of people undergo surgical procedures every day across the country, there is risk involved with any surgery. In order for a surgical procedure to be successful, surgeons and providers must be meticulous and adhere to guidelines. Any missed step, no matter how minor, can have devastating effects for patients, including death. In Kentucky, medical professionals who deviate from the accepted standard of care can be held accountable through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
A lawsuit filed by a widow in another state alleges that her husband’s death was the result of negligence during surgery. According to the lawsuit, the husband underwent an ileostomy reversal, which is a procedure to rejoin parts of the patient’s colon. The lawsuit said the man was discharged from the hospital only a few days after the surgery.
The plaintiff claims her husband died at home the day after he was discharged. Allegedly, an autopsy later found that the man died from a ruptured bowel and internal bleeding. The lawsuit alleges that the man’s medical providers did not perform the appropriate tests before discharging him and deviated from the standard of care. The plaintiff seeks damages and all just relief.
Although surgeons and doctors in Kentucky are highly skilled and have access to state-of-the-art technology, errors during surgery will continue to happen. Families who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to medical malpractice could benefit by consulting an experienced attorney. A successful lawsuit could provide struggling families with financial relief to help recover any documented monetary losses.