Although it is not common knowledge, negligence in the medical field is one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States. The vast majority of health care providers in Kentucky and across the country are skilled and well-trained professionals, but this does not prevent them from making mistakes. When medical mistakes are made, the patient unfortunately has to live with the consequences. Recently, a patient in another state had her fingers and toes amputated due to alleged medical malpractice and she was awarded $16 million.
The woman filed a lawsuit after alleged mistakes by a doctor caused her to lose her fingers and toes. According to the lawsuit, the woman suffered from vasculitis and sought treatment due to flare-ups and ulcers on her feet and hands. The lawsuit claimed that, instead of giving the woman proper treatment, her doctor waited a full week before transferring the woman to another medical facility.
Allegedly, by the time the woman had reached the other facility, she was near death and her extremities had begun deteriorating. The woman apparently lost part of her left foot, nine toes, tips of two fingers and her fight thumb. The lawsuit claimed that the woman’s misfortune could have been prevented if not for the delay in treatment and the delay in transferring the woman.
When doctors and other medical providers make mistakes, the patient suffers the consequences. Kentucky citizens who believe they or their loved ones were harmed by medical malpractice can pursue legal action. A successfully litigated lawsuit could result in a could provide financial relief and ease the suffering of victims and families.
Source: Miami Herald, “Jury awards amputee $16 million in malpractice case“, Monique O. Madan, Nov. 10, 2017