Patients in Kentucky visit emergency rooms of hospitals when they suffer a traumatic injury and are in urgent need of immediate care. Emergency room doctors and nurses must be meticulous and follow the appropriate steps in order to successfully treat patients. Any deviation from this standard of care can severely injure and even kill patients. A paralyzed man in another state recently received a substantial monetary award from a medical malpractice lawsuit he filed after allegedly being subjected to negligent treatment in an emergency room.
According to the lawsuit, the man suffered a fall and struck his face on some furniture. The fall injured the man’s spinal cord so he sought immediate treatment in the emergency room of a local hospital, the lawsuit said. After being seen by emergency room staff, the plaintiff claimed he was discharged without the staff recognizing his spinal cord injury.
Tragically, the man said he later suffered permanent paralysis after being discharged. The lawsuit alleged that the man’s paralysis could have been avoided had the emergency room staff recognized his spinal injury. A jury sided with the plaintiff and awarded him $2.8 million.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for patients to be prematurely discharged so that hospitals can make room for other patients. Incomplete treatment such as this can cost a patient his or her life. Those in Kentucky who have endured injuries or loss as a result of medical malpractice could benefit by seeking the services of an experienced attorney. Damages from a successful lawsuit could give victims and families much-needed financial relief.