1 severely injured in operation, files medical malpractice claim
An out-of-state woman who was seriously injured in an operation recently chose to file a medical malpractice suit against the hospital where she was treated. The suit seeks $15 million in damages. It claims that a botched surgery caused the victim paralysis, negatively affected her speech and caused other injuries. When Pennsylvania residents suffer similar harm due to the negligent care of medial professionals, they typically seek to file medical malpractice claims against the party or parties who are believed to be responsible.
In 2014, the woman was employed as a full-time cook at a medical center. When she developed issues with her hearing, doctors discovered meningiomas — benign tumors that may develop from thin layers of tissue that blanket the spinal cord and the brain — the claim said. One of these tumors had been previously diagnosed. The doctors believed that the newer one was the cause of her hearing loss but recommended only removing the older one.
On March 12, 2014, the woman underwent surgery, but it was performed without the appropriate informed consent, according to the claim. During the surgery, the surgeons accidentally cut the woman’s middle cerebral artery, which, along with two others, is responsible for the brain’s blood supply. This caused a stroke and left the victim paralyzed on her right side. Before, she did not experience any issues with her speech, vision, motor skills or body movement, but afterwards, she was unable to swallow, speak, or even control her bladder or bowel functions. She now requires constant care around the clock, according to the claim.
When individuals are the victims of medical malpractice, they often are faced with extensive hospital bills and physical therapy that lasts for months or years. They may also experience other setbacks to their health and well-being and lose income from not being able to work. All too often, these victims suffer both financially and emotionally. When Pennsylvania residents suffer medical malpractice, they typically choose to consult experienced attorneys to establish the validity of their claims.
Source: thegazette.com, “Linn County woman files $15 million medical malpractice claim against UIHC“, Trish Mehaffey, March 15, 2016
